Pope Francis has said that men who commit violence against women engage in something that is “almost satanic”, writes news24.

He made the comment, some of the strongest language he has used to condemn such violence, during a programme broadcast on Sunday night on Italy’s TG5 network in which he conversed with three women and a man, all with difficult backgrounds.

“The number of women who are beaten and abused in their homes, even by their husbands, is very, very high”, - Francis said in answer to a question by a woman named Giovanna, a victim of domestic violence.

“The problem is that, for me, it is almost satanic because it is taking advantage of a person who cannot defend herself, who can only (try to) block the blows”, - he said.