Pope Denounces ‘Epidemic’ Of Bullying In Japan

TOKYO (AP) – Pope Francis is denouncing what he called an “epidemic” of bullying that is tormenting young people in Japan and elsewhere.  Francis told Japanese students Monday that deep down, “bullies are afraid, and they cover their fear by showing strength.”  Francis was responding to testimony from three students who recounted the pressures they face in a hyper-competitive society, their feelings of inadequacy and the cruelty they sometimes face from their classmates that sometimes drives young people to suicide.  One, a Filipino, said he had been tormented by a bully because he was a foreigner.  Francis told them: “We must all unite against this culture of bullying and learn to say ‘Enough!’ It is an epidemic, and together you can find the best medicine to treat it.”