Warsaw: Speaking ill of others and hurting them with cruel language is ‘the terrorism of words’, Pope Francis said on Thursday.

‘Gossip is the terrorism of worlds, insulting ones heart, dignity and in this young person’s case, nationality,’ Francis told participants at the World Youth Day celebrations, quoted by Vatican Radio.

He was replying to a question from a girl who asked him how she could forgive bullies who drove her to attempt suicide after she arrived in Italy six years ago with limited knowledge of the language.

‘We must ask the Lord for help in choosing to forgive and forget fully and ask Him to forgive those who hurt us,’ Francis said.