Francis marked the 25th anniversary Sunday of the destruction of the wall symbolising the Cold War by appealing to all those of good will to foster a "culture of coming together" to bring down all barriers still dividing the world.
Greeting people in St Peter's Square, he paid tribute to those who worked for the Berlin Wall's end, including those paying with their lives. John Paul II's championing of the Solidarity union in his native Poland is credited with helping bring the demise of Soviet bloc communism. Francis prayed that "never again may innocent persons be persecuted or killed for their belief or religion.