Pope Francis said 'no religion is terrorist' in a welcome letter read aloud at a meeting of grassroots political movements in California

Pope Francis said 'no religion is terrorist' in a welcome letter read aloud at a meeting of grassroots political movements in California.

The gathering of Catholic clergy and activists comes as the world grapples with the impact of President Donald Trump's attempts to change US immigration policy.

The pontiff said: 'Christian terrorism does not exist, Jewish terrorism does not exist, and Muslim terrorism does not exist.'

Pope Francis insisted in the letter to the conference in Modesto that there are 'violent individuals in all peoples and religions'.

And he said 'intolerant generalisations' would only make these people stronger because because they feed on hate and xenophobia.

'Do not classify others in order to see who is a neighbor and who is not,' the pope said.

'You can become neighbor to whomever you meet in need, and you will do so if you have compassion in your heart.'

Despite insisting he was talking about 'anyone in particular', his speech is likely to be interpreted as a critique of President Trump's immigration policy.

The gathering comes as the world grapples with the impact of President Trump's attempts to change immigration policy. Pictured: A man speaking at a panel on racism

Pope Francis also hit out at the 'denial' of climate change, saying: 'Time is running out. Let us act'.

He said: 'I ask all of you, people of all backgrounds including native people, pastors, political leaders—to defend Creation.'

The gathering of more than 600 clergy and social justice activists also included a session on racism.

Speakers encouraged religious people and institutions, including the Roman Catholic Church, to confront their own racism.

The pontiff - pictured on February 15 meeting indigenous people at the Vatican - said: 'Christian terrorism does not exist, Jewish terrorism does not exist, and Muslim terrorism does not exist'

Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana said the church has whispered at times when 'the church should have spoken boldly.'

Likewise, Andrea Cristina Mercado of the National Domestic Worker Alliance called on the church to do more.

'We need the church to speak clearly,' she said, to rousing cheers from the audience. 'Be bold. Take bold action. Offer sanctuary at Catholic churches.'