Pope approves military action in Iraq, but not unilateral US bombing

Aug 19, 2014

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis said that military intervention to stop the slaughter of Christians in Iraq is warranted, but cautioned against unilateral action by the US, in a press conference as he returned from a 5-day trip to South Korea.

During an hour-long exchange with reporters board the papal flight, the Pontiff answered questions about a wide range of topics, including Korea, Iraq, the conflict in Gaza, his health and his schedule, and his future travel plans.

In response to a question about bombing in Iraq, the Pope said that “it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor.” He made it clear that this judgment applied to the situation in northern Iraq, where Christians and other minorities face persecution by Islamic militants.

However the Pope recommended international action. “One nation cannot judge how to stop an unjust aggressor,” he said. In explaining this caution he observed: “How many times under this excuse of stopping an unjust aggressor the powers have taken control of peoples, and have made a true war of conquest.”

Pope Francis disclosed that he had spoken with his aides about a personal trip to Iraq. “At the moment it is not the best thing to do,” he said, but he added that he was open to the possibility if it would be helpful.

Speaking about his busy schedule, the Pope conceded that he had a tendency to overtax his own energies. He acknowledged that several minor ailments that he suffered during the summer could be attributed to exhaustion, and said: “Now I have to be a little more prudent.”

The Holy Father said that although he has not taken a vacation outside Rome, he does take time to relax—sleeping more, reading, listening to music, and chatting with friends. He said that it is “one of my neuroses” that he becomes attached to the place where he is living, and does not want a change.

Questioned about his relationship with Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, Pope Francis said that his predecessor’s resignation “opened a door that is institutional, not exceptional.” He said that papal resignations make sense “because our life gets longer and at a certain age there isn’t the capacity to govern well because the body gets tired, and maybe one’s health is good but there isn’t the capacity to carry forward all the problems of a government like that of the Church.” He said that if he feels unable to carry out his duties, he would certainly follow Pope Benedict’s example.--CWN