Pope Francis said "war is madness," just over a year ago while condemning the idea of war in God's name, and today, in a succinct but notably unforgiving and emotional statement, Francis reiterated [4] his previous warning that a "piecemeal" World War III has already begun and, as he previously stated [5], the international community would be justified in using force to stop what he called "unjust aggression" by Islamic State militants.
Pope Francis sent a telegram to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris, assuring victims, their families and emergency personnel that he is united with them in prayer.
Informed of the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred in Paris and at the Stade de France, killing a great number of people and wounding many others, His Holiness Pope Francis joins in prayer with the suffering of families affected by the drama and the pain of the French people. He invokes God, Father of mercy, asking that He welcome the victims into the peace of His light and bring comfort and hope to the injured and their families. He assures them, and all of the personnel participating in aid efforts, of his spiritual closeness.
Once again, the Holy Father vigorously condemns violence, which cannot solve anything, and he asks God to inspire thoughts of peace and solidarity in all and to impart on families in this trial and on all of the French people, the abundance of His Blessings.
But, speaking in a telephone interview with the Italian Bishops’ Conference official television network [4] – TV2000 – Pope Francis said the attacks are "not human."
Pope Francis has called the attacks in Paris “a piece” of the “piecemeal Third World War.”
“I am close to the people of France, to the families of the victims, and I am praying for all of them,” Pope Francis said. “I am moved and I am saddened. I do not understand, these things hard to understand.”
When asked if this is part of the “piecemeal Third World War” the Holy Father has mentioned many times before, Pope Francis said “this is a piece of it,” adding “there is no religious or human justification for it.”
And his previous comments (from September 2014) [5]...
A "piecemeal" World War III may have already begun with the current spate of crimes, massacres and destruction, Pope Francis has warned.
...
"War is madness," the Pope said...
The Argentine Pope has often condemned the idea of war in God's name.
Only last month, Pope Francis said the international community would be justified in using force to stop what he called "unjust aggression" by Islamic State militants, who have killed or displaced thousands of people in Iraq and Syria, including many Christians.
Finally, this is The Vatican's response...
The Vatican has condemned "in the most radical way" the terror attacks in Paris.
The Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement early Saturday that the violence was "an attack on peace for all humanity."
He said it requires "a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread of homicidal hatred in all of its forms."
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Did The Church just justify a new crusade?
