Pope Francis fails to mention Rohingya crisis in key Burma address

Pope Francis has called for Burma to "respect each group and its identity" on a visit to the country, but failed specifically to raise the persecution of Rohingya Muslims as some activists had hoped he would. The Pope ended his key address in the Burmese capital, during a meeting with the country's de facto leader Aang San Suu Kyi, without using the word "Rohingya", which would have itself been controversial. Speaking after Ms Suu Kyi's address, the pontiff lamented in his speech how Burma's people have suffered "and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities" which have "lasted too long and created deep divisions," insisting that all people who call the country their home deserves to have their basic rights guaranteed. He said Burma's future must be based on "respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity". "Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building," he added. More follows…