Pope Francis once again condemned persecution of Christians in the modern world speaking to the Shalom Community at the end of his Easter Monday Regina Coeli Address.

Pope Francis on Monday expressed his hope that the international community does not look on, “silent and inactive”, in the face of the “unacceptable crime” of the persecution of Christians around the world, the Vatican Radio reported.

“They are our martyrs today and they are many; we are able to say that they are more numerous than in the first centuries,” Pope Francis said.

“I sincerely hope that the international community does not look the other way,” he added