Pope Francis has condemned the burning of the Koran at a recent incident in Stockholm when two men burned a copy of the Muslim holy book.

“I feel angry and disgusted by these actions,” said Mr Francis, according to local media on Monday.

“Any book considered holy must be respected out of respect for those who believe in it, and freedom of expression should never be used as an excuse to despise others,” he added.

Two men participated in a demonstration in the Swedish capital where the Quran was burnt on the first day of Muslims’ Eid al-Adha holiday.

Several Muslim-majority countries had condemned the incident and castigated Swedish diplomats, saying the act incited hatred and should not count as free speech.

The latest was Saudi Arabia, where the Foreign Ministry summoned the Swedish ambassador in Riyadh to express the Kingdom’s “categorical rejection of the disgraceful act carried out by an extremist.”

It called on the Swedish government “to stop all acts that directly contradict international efforts to spread tolerance, moderation and rejection of extremism.

“The Swedish government should not undermine the necessary mutual respect for relations between peoples and states.”

Sweden said the action was permitted under the country’s freedom of expression laws but was inappropriate. 

(dpa/NAN)