Pope Francis has some strong words for men who assault women.
According to the leader of the Catholic Church, men who commit violence against women engage in "almost satanic" behavior.
Francis made the comment Sunday during an appearance on Italy's TG5 television network. He addressed a panel of four individuals from diverse backgrounds, one of whom was a survivor of domestic violence.
He condemned the "very, very high" rate of domestic violence against women.
"The number of women who are beaten and abused in their homes, even by their spouses, is extremely great," the pope said in response to a question from a lady named Giovanna, a victim of domestic abuse.
Francis said the issue is that this type of abuse is nearly diabolical because it takes advantage of a person who is unable to defend herself and can only attempt to resist the blows. "It's infuriating. Extremely humiliating," he said.
Giovanna stated that she was responsible for four children who had escaped a violent family.
Francis has spoken out multiple times against domestic violence since the COVID-19 pandemic began about two years ago. Domestic violence has escalated in several nations as a result of lockdowns that imprisoned many women with their abusers.
Additionally, the pope stated that women who have been abused have not lost their dignity.
"I see dignity in you because without it, you would not be here," he explained to Giovanna. "Keep your gaze fixed on the Blessed Mother and her image of courage," the pontiff advised.
Francis has made multiple comments regarding domestic abuse since the coronavirus outbreak began.
Abuse incidents have escalated in a lot of countries, owing to the fact that many people are trapped with their abusers during lockdown.
A United Nations research covering 13 countries shows that half of women surveyed reported having been subjected to some sort of violence since the pandemic broke out.
In Italy, police numbers released last month indicated that more than 90 incidents of violence against women occur each day, with domestic abuse accounting for 62% of these incidents.
Francis told Giovanna that hope was still attainable throughout the pandemic.
Police records released last month indicated that over 90 incidents of violence against women occur in Italy each day, with 62 percent being cases of domestic abuse.
Francis has established services in the area surrounding the Vatican to provide healthcare, bathing, and hair cutting to Rome's homeless.
