Pope Francis Says Perfect Body 'Obsession' Leads to Discrimination of Disabled People

On Sunday, in a mass dedicated to disabled people and their caregivers, Pope Francis said society’s “obsession” with perfect bodies has led to the shunning and hiding away of people with disabilities, according to The Associated Press.

“It is thought that sick or disabled persons cannot be happy, since they cannot live the lifestyle held up by the culture of pleasure and entertainment,” Francis said. “In an age when care for one’s body has become an obsession and a big business, anything that is imperfect has to be hidden away, since it threatens the happiness and serenity of the privileged few and endangers the dominant model.”

He went on to say discriminating against people with disabilities is “one of the ugliest things we can do.”

Watch his full statement below: