Vatican City, Apr 12, 2016 / 05:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Tuesday reflected on the “polite persecution” of Christians that takes away their freedom in the disguise of modernity and progress.

“Persecution, I would say, is the daily bread of the Church. Jesus said so himself,” he said April 12.

During his Mass at the chapel of Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, the Pope reflected on the death of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.