Pope Francis says war 'crime against humanity'

 VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis reiterated Sunday his call for an end to fighting in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, saying that “war is a crime against humanity.“

“Let’s not forget how many people suffer from the cruelty of wars in so many parts of the world, especially Ukraine, Palestine and Israel,” the pontiff told pilgrims and the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square after his weekly Angelus blessing.   

“At the start of the year we exchanged wishes for peace but weapons have continued to kill and destroy,” Francis said, speaking from his window in the Apostolic Palace. “Let us pray that those who have power over these conflicts reflect on the fact that war is not the way to resolve them, that instead it sows death among civilians and destroys cities and infrastructure.”

 “In other words war in itself is a crime against humanity. Peoples need peace, the world needs peace,” the pope said.

 “We have to educate for peace and one sees that we are not yet in entire humanity with sufficient education to stop every war.”