Corruption acts like a drug on which people become dependent: Pope Francis

Vatican City: Corruption is like a drug on which people become dependent, Pope Francis said Sunday, addressing thousands of faithful assembled at Saint Peter's square in Rome.

"Some people behave with corruption as with a drug. They think they can stop if they want to," the Argentinian pontiff told the worshippers gathered for the weekly Angelus prayer.

"They start small, a small amount here, a bribe there," he said, warning that corruption was producing its own "addiction" which generates poverty and suffering.