Stop hurling insults and listen, Pope Francis tells politicians

Pope Francis talks during a meeting at the University Roma Tre in Rome, Italy February 17, 2017. REUTERS/Max Rossi

ROME (Reuters) - Politicians should lower the volume of their debates and stop insulting each other, Pope Francis said on Friday, adding that leaders should be open to dialogue with perceived enemies or risk sowing the seeds of war.

"Insulting has become normal," he said in a 45-minute-long improvised talk to university students in Rome. "We need to lower the volume a bit and we need to talk less and listen more."