Pope Francis lamented the state of democracy around the world on Sunday during a visit to the northeastern Italian city of Trieste.

Global democracy 'is not in good health' 

"Democracy is not in good health in the world today," Francis said during a Catholic event that focuses on social issues.  

Speaking to a group of around 1,200 people, he urged citizens to take part in voting and other forms of democracy. 

"Democracy demands that conditions are created so that everyone can express themselves," Francis maintained. 

"We cannot be satisfied with a private faith," the 87-year-old said. "This means having the courage to make proposals for justice and peace in public debates."     

Be wary of 'ideological temptations and populists'

Francis cautioned against "ideological temptations and populists," without mentioning any country in particular.  

"Ideologies are seductive. Some people compare them to the Pied Piper of Hamelin: they seduce but lead you to deny yourself," Francis said, alluding to a German children's legend. The phrase "pied piper" is commonly used to mean someone who gains popularity through false promises.    

His remarks come on the same day as French parliamentary elections where the far-right is expected to make big gains. The far-right surged in European elections last month, with conservative hardliners also winning big in Dutch elections this past November. 

During his visit to Trieste, the Argentine Jesuit of Italian heritage met with migrants and people with disabilities. 

Francis has largely stayed in Italy in recent months amid health problems, having visited Venice in April and Verona in May.

He is, however, expected to jet off on a nearly two week Asia tour in September, with stops in Indonesia, Singapore, and the islands of Papua New Guinea and East Timor on the agenda. It will be the longest foreign journey of his tenure as pope.    

wd/rm (AFP, dpa)