Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. According to the pope, the arms industry has brought untold death and destruction to the world. “The world is obsessed with weapons,” he said. (Photo: AP/Andrew Medichini)

Vatican City. — Pope Francis lamented that the use of guns by civilians to defend themselves is becoming a “habit.”

In an interview on Tuesday with The Associated Press, the pontiff, who has frequently criticized the arms industry, was asked about the large number of guns in civilian hands and frequent massacres in the United States. Francis expressed concern about how recourse to guns has become “habit.”

“I say when you have to defend yourself, all that’s left is to have the elements to defend yourself. Another thing is how that need to defend oneself lengthens, lengthens, and becomes a habit,’’ Francis said. “Instead of making the effort to help us live, we make the effort to help us kill.”

Francis has denounced the arms industry as trafficking in death. Francis said he wants to draw attention to the problem by saying: “Please, let’s say something that will stop this.”

The AP asked the question about the proliferation of guns among civilians after recent days saw several shootings, including in California.

Here are some other key takeaways from the interview.

Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. According to the pope, the arms industry has brought untold death and destruction to the world. “The world is obsessed with weapons,” he said. (Photo: AP/Domenico Stinellis)

ON ‘PATIENCE’ WITH CHINA

Saying “we must walk patiently in China,” Pope Francis views continued dialogue with Beijing as the guiding principle in his efforts to safeguard his flock, who are a small minority in the Asian nation.

The AP asked what comes next in the diplomatic overtures between the countries.

“We are taking steps,” Francis replied. “Each case (of a bishop’s nomination) is looked at with a magnifying lens.” The pontiff added that “that’s the main thing, the dialogue doesn’t break.”

As for Chinese authorities, “sometimes they are a little closed, sometimes not,” Francis said.

The pope sidestepped a question about how the Vatican’s relationship with Taiwan affects the dialogue. The Holy See is one of the few states to maintain formal ties with Taiwan instead of with China.

Chinese faithful attend Pope Francis weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 22, 2019. In an interview with The Associated Press, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, Pope Francis said that sometimes Chinese authorities are somewhat «closed.» Francis has been criticized by some segments of the Catholic Church over a 2018 agreement with Beijing over the appointment of bishops in China. Among those critics is Cardinal Joseph Zen, of Hong Kong. In the interview, Francis called Zen a «tender soul» and recalled spending time with him after the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI earlier this month. (Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino/File)

Francis has been criticized by more conservative factions of the Catholic Church for a 2018 agreement with Beijing over the appointment of bishops in China, given how that country’s Communist authorities have at times imprisoned priests. Among his harshest critics is Cardinal Joseph Zen, the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

People gather during a twilight vigil prayer for the victims of sex abuse near Castle Sant’ Angelo, in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. In an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, Pope Francis acknowledged the Catholic Church still had a long way to go to deal with the problem, saying transparency was still lacking about how cases are resolved and that the church must speak out more about the abuse of “vulnerable adults.” (Photo: AP/Gregorio Borgia/File)

In the interview, Francis called Zen, who is 91, a “charming old man,» and a “tender soul.” He recounted how, when the cardinal came to Rome this month for the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, the pontiff invited him to the Vatican hotel where Francis lives. In front of the pope’s private study is a statue depicting Our Lady of Sheshan. Francis said when the cardinal saw it, ”he began to cry, like a child.»

Zen was arrested last year after he fell afoul of Hong Kong authorities over his participation in a now-silenced democracy movement.

Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. According to the pope, the arms industry has brought untold death and destruction to the world. “The world is obsessed with weapons,” he said. (Photo: AP/Domenico Stinellis)

ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Pope Francis has stepped up his criticism of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community. He called laws criminalizing homosexuals unjust but reiterated Catholic Church teaching that homosexual activity is sinful.

Bantering with himself, Francis articulated the position: “It’s not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime.”

Ettore Russo fires his pistol at an indoor shooting range during a qualification course to renew his Carry Concealed handgun permit at the Placer Sporting Club in Roseville, Calif., on Friday, July 1, 2022. In an interview with The Associated Press, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, Pope Francis said that the arms industry has brought untold death and destruction to the world. “The world is obsessed with weapons,” he added. (Photo: AP/Rich Pedroncelli/File)

ON PAPAL HEALTH AND RETIREMENT

The 86-year-old pontiff was asked to assess his health.

“I’m in good health. For my age, I’m normal. I might die tomorrow, but I am under control. I always ask for the grace the Lord will give me a sense of humor,” he said.

His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. Following Benedict’s death, Francis was also asked about the need for rules for any future retirement.

“After some more experience … then it could be more regularized or regulated,” he said. “But for the moment it hasn’t occurred to me.”

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) display weapons seized from ISIS in Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan 12, 2023. In an interview with The Associated Press, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, Pope Francis said that the arms industry has brought untold death and destruction to the world. “The world is obsessed with weapons,” he added. (Photo: AP/Hadi Mizban/File)

ON SEX ABUSE CRISIS

The pope suggested that East Timor’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning independence hero was indeed allowed to retire early rather than face prosecution or punishment following sex abuse allegations.

Francis also denied he had a role in deciding the case of a famous Jesuit artist whose seemingly preferential treatment cast doubt on the Vatican’s commitment to cracking down on abuse.

He acknowledged the Catholic Church still had a long way to go to deal with the problem.

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