Pope denounces governments that use media to defame critics

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is denouncing the way some governments seek to discredit their critics through “whisper” campaigns, using the media to defame anyone who represents a threat.
During his morning homily Thursday, Francis said such slander campaigns can infect relations in families, parishes and dioceses, as well as global politics.
He said the damage done by the “sin of whispering” is particularly grave in politics “when a government isn’t