Pope Francis said on Saturday that current conflicts taking place around the world amount to a “piecemeal” Third World War.
He also condemned the arms trade and “plotters of terrorism”.
“Humanity needs to weep and this is the time to weep,” said the Pope in his homily during a visit to Italy’s largest war memorial at Redipuglia cemetery in the north of the country, where more than 100,000 soldiers who died in World War One are buried.
“Even today, after the second failure of another world war, perhaps one can speak of a third war, one fought piecemeal, with crimes, massacres, destruction,” the Pope continued.
The Pope’s began his day by first praying at another, nearby cemetery for more than 15,000 soldiers from five nations of the Austro-Hungarian empire who died in the Great War.
In the past few months, Francis has called for an end to conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, and Gaza.
Last month he said it would be “licit” for the for the international community to use force to stop “unjust aggression” by ISIS militants.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.