Francis calls on Greek hierarchy to counter culture of pessimism

The Pope has told Greece’s Catholic bishops to maintain “constructive relations” with the newly elected Government headed by the far-Left party Syriza, writes Hannah Roberts.

Pope Francis urged the prelates on their ad limina visit to fight the “culture of pessimism” in crisis-hit Greece.

He said: “In the face of the persistent economic-financial crisis, which has hit your country in a particularly harsh way, do not tire of exhorting all to trust in the future, opposing the so-called culture of pessimism.”

The Archbishop of Athens, Sevastianos Rossolatos, had dismissed the far-Left victory as “a vote of hatred and desperation”. He told Vatican Radio: “Never before has Greece leaned so far to the Left as an electoral body.”