Pope Francis has accused some European leaders of embracing Hitler-style populism as the world tackles the Covid-19 pandemic. The 83-year-old bishop of Rome made the controversial comments in an interview with UK-based Catholic weekly The Tablet.

Speaking as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, the pope said: “At this time in Europe when we are beginning to hear populist speeches and witness political decisions of this selective kind, it’s all too easy to remember Hitler’s speeches in 1933, which were not so different from some of the speeches of a few European politicians now.”

He added: “This crisis is affecting us all, rich and poor alike, and putting a spotlight on hypocrisy. I am worried by the hypocrisy of certain political personalities who speak of facing up to the crisis, of the problem of hunger in the world, but who in the meantime manufacture weapons. This is a time to be converted from this kind of functional hypocrisy. It’s a time for integrity. Either we are coherent with our beliefs or we lose everything.”