MOSCOW, August 20 (RIA Novosti) — Pope Francis said on Monday that while attempts to stop radical Islamists in Iraq from attacking religious minorities are legitimate, instead of some unilateral actions the international community as a whole should decide on how to act, according to the Associated Press.
"In these cases, where there is an unjust aggression, I can only say that it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor," Francis responded when asked if he approved of the airstrike the US carried out against the Islamic State militants. "I underscore the verb 'stop.' I'm not saying 'bomb' or 'make war,' just 'stop.' And the means that can be used to stop them must be evaluated."
Francis also added that he might himself visit northern Iraq in a display of solidarity with Christians there, but pointed out that the issue is currently being debated by his advisors.
Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Pope’s personal envoy, has already being sent to northern Iraq to provide monetary assistance to the refugees and to make Pope Francis’ concern
Associated Press also points out that Vatican has strongly opposed any military intervention in recent years but became increasingly supportive of a military action in Iraq due to the plight of the persecuted Christians there.
