Pope Francis urges ‘pursuit of truth’ and human rights at start of Asia tour

Pope Francis urged respect for human rights as he began a two-nation Asia tour in windswept Sri Lanka Tuesday, bearing a message of peace and reconciliation after a decades-long civil war. Human rights are a hugely contentious issue in Sri Lanka, which has alienated the international community by refusing to cooperate with a UN-mandated investigation into alleged wartime mass killing of civilians.

The great work of rebuilding must embrace… promoting human dignity, respect for human rights, and the full inclusion of each member of society.

Pope Francis on his arrival in Colombo

Pope Francis was greeted at Colombo’s main airport by new President Maithripala Sirisena who took office only days ago. The Argentine pope’s second visit to Asia will also take in the Philippines, a bastion of Christianity in the region, where he is set to attract one of the biggest-ever gatherings for a head of the Catholic Church.

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