Pope at Easter focuses on persecution of Christians

Pope Francis has highlighted the persecution of Christians in Africa and the Middle East during a Good Friday sermon in Rome.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims joined the pontiff for the Vatican's traditional Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum.

The Pope called for an end to the persecution of Christians particularly in Africa and the Middle East, in his Easter message.

“We ask Jesus, the victor over death, to lighten the sufferings of our many brothers and sisters who are persecuted for his name, and of all those who suffer injustice as a result of ongoing conflicts and violence – and there are many,” he said.

Iran has been ranked the world's seventh worst nation for the persecution of Christians according to a study published in January.

Iran under the rule of the clerical regime is among countries where Christians are subject to harassment, discrimination and prosecution, the Open Doors Organization report said.

North Korea ranks first on the list, followed by Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, Eritrea and Nigeria.

Open Doors reports that expansion of extremists’ activities has brought with it the oppression of religious minorities and Christians. In 40 out of 50 countries that were studied, Islamist fanatics were active, the organisation said.

The Iranian regime’s treatment 700,000 Christians in that country has worsened since last year, and harassment continued over Christmas.

The persecution of Christians in Iran is getting worse under Hassan Rouhani and many now face "severe physical and psychological torture," a report from a group of British MPs and peers said last month.

A joint investigation by Christians in Parliament and All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Freedom of Religion or Belief found that Christians continue to be arrested and interrogated because of their faith in Iran.

“The judiciary continues to construe legitimate Christian activities (such as meeting in private homes for prayer meeting and bible studies, or being in contact with Christians outside of Iran) as political activities that threaten the national security of Iran.”

“Therefore Christians continue to be issued long prison sentences and/or corporal punishment. Churches continue to be pressured into ceasing all services or activities in the national language of Persian (Farsi), or are closed down.”