Citing ancient Greeks, Pope Francis laments threats to democracy today

Pope Francis greets people as he arrives at Athens International Airport in Athens, Greece, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

ATHENS (Reuters) -Pope Francis appealed on Saturday for a return to "good politics", saying democracy has deteriorated dangerously as discontented people are lured by the "siren songs" of populist politicians who promise easy but unrealistic solutions.

The pope arrived from Cyprus in Athens, often seen as the birthplace of democracy, on the second and last leg of a Mediterranean trip whose main aim is to draw attention to the plight of migrants and refugees.