Pope Urges US to Reject Discrimination Amid Carson's Anti-Muslim Remarks

Pope Francis called on the United States on Wednesday to build a more tolerant and inclusive society that rejects any form of discrimination.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The pontiff’s remarks come after Republican Presidential Candidate Ben Carson made controversial anti-Muslim remarks, saying that a Muslim should not be able to lead the United States.

"American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of injustice, discrimination," the pontiff said during his speech at the White House.

Pope Francis added that religious liberty was America’s "most precious processions," and called on the country to be "vigilant precisely as good citizens to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten for compromises."

On Tuesday, Pope Francis arrived in the United States for his first visit to the country. The pope and US President Barack Obama are currently meeting at the White House.

During his 6-day visit, the pope will also address a joint meeting of the US Congress and later in the week will give a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.