Pope Francis: 'Persecution' not 'genocide' describes plight of Christians in Middle East

Using the term "genocide" to describe the attacks against Christians in the Middle East is "sociological reductionism," Pope Francis said during a question and answer session with students at the Villa Nazareth University College in Rome on Saturday, June 18.

The pope said the term "genocide" does not embody or explain "that which is a mystery of the faith: the martyr."

"I want to say clearly, I do not like it when one speaks of a genocide of Christians, for instance in the Middle East," the pope said, as reported by Catholic News Agency. "This is reductionism! The truth is a persecution which leads Christians to have fidelity to the consistency of their faith."

Speaking further about persecution, the pope reminded the students of the Coptic Christians who were murdered on a beach in Libya last year. These men, who called out to Jesus before they were killed, were "witnesses of the faith," he said.

However, the pope was not referring to "the use of the term 'genocide' on a political level, but on a level of faith. When applied to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the dimension of faith is essential," explained Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, according to Catholic News Service.

The pope also spoke about a different kind of martyrdom that can give witness to the faith. He said this kind of martyrdom can be shown every day by living an honest life, being patient, raising children faithfully and choosing to love when it is easier to do likewise.

He also described the martyrdom to refrain from gossiping, which he said is a "terrorist bomb."

The pope said it takes courage to live daily as a martyr for Christ, adding that St. Paul used the words "courage and patience" in describing a martyr's life.

One young man asked the pope if he ever struggled with his faith. The pope said he has struggled with his faith many times. He said that sometimes he asked God why He allowed certain things to happen. He shared he has experienced such struggles when he was a young man, when he became a seminarian, when he became a priest, a bishop and eventually the Pope.

Pope Francis said facing crisis helps people grow in their faith. Christians who do not experience this once in a while are "missing something" and may have become too content with their lives, he added.

Christians must not fear crisis because it shows that they are "moving forward," the pope said.