POPE-IRAQ
Pope OKs protecting Iraq minorities, wants UN OK
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) β Pope Francis has endorsed the use of force to stop Islamic militants from attacking religious minorities in Iraq. But Francis said the international community β and not just one country β should decide how to intervene.
Francis was asked by reporters if he approved of the unilateral U.S. airstrikes on militants of the Islamic State. Its fighters have captured swaths of northern and western Iraq and northeastern Syria and forced minority Christians and others to either convert to Islam or flee their homes.
He said “it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor.” He explained that the “verb ‘stop'” does not mean to bomb or make war. Church teaching allows for “just wars.”
Francis also said he and his advisers were considering whether he might go to northern Iraq himself to show solidarity with persecuted Christians. But he said he was holding off for now on a decision.
Sound:
166-c-18-(Nicole Winfield, AP correspondent)-“being bandied about”-AP correspondent Nicole Winfield reports Pope Francis is considering a trip to Northern Iraq. (18 Aug 2014)
< 167-c-12-(Nicole Winfield, AP correspondent)-“very big deal”-AP correspondent Nicole Winfield reports that, in the past, the Vatican and Pope Francis have opposed military intervention of any kind. (18 Aug 2014) < 165-c-12-(Nicole Winfield, AP correspondent)-“how to intervene”-AP correspondent Nicole Winfield reports that, on his way home from South Korea, Pope Francis said he approves military force to protect religious minorities who are under assault in Iraq. (18 Aug 2014) < POPE-US VISIT Pope hopes to visit United States next year ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) β Pope Francis says he hopes to travel to the United States in September 2015 for a possible three-city tour. The visit would include a rally in Philadelphia, an address to Congress and a stop at the United Nations. He said a Mexico stop on that trip was possible but not decided yet. He also said he might make one-day visit to Spain next year. Francis made the comment to reporters on his way back from South Korea. 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