Pope, in Slovakia, says don't exploit religion for politics

Pope Francis arrives to lead the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom in Presov, Slovakia, September 14, 2021. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

PRESOV, Slovakia (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Tuesday that the cross should not be used as a political symbol and warned against Christians trying to be triumphalist, in an apparent criticism of the use of religion for partisan ends.

Francis flew to the city of Presov, in eastern Slovakia, where he presided at a long service known as a Divine Liturgy, a Byzantine rite used by Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches.