Pope Francis addressed ISIS attacks as he traveled to Poland to celebrate ‘World Youth Day’. The Argentinian Pope assured the world is currently facing and organized war, not a religious war.

Pope Francis addressed recent ISIS-related events in the papal plane, as he discusses several subjects with reporters sharing the flight. The Pope was asked about the recent killing of a French priest at the hands of terrorists. As he traveled between Rome and Poland to celebrate World Youth Day, Pope Francis assured the world is currently at war just as it was in 1914 and the war between 1939 and 1945.

Pope Francis addresses the audience at a sermon given during his visit to Poland. Image Credit: Catholic News Agency
Pope Francis addresses the audience at a sermon given during his visit to Poland. Image Credit: Catholic News Agency

“The world is at war because it has lost peace. It is not an organized war, perhaps. It’s organized, but not organic,” assured the Pope to reporters on the papal plane.

The Pope confirmed the current world conflict is not a matter of religious beliefs, but a matter of organization. He explained that religions don’t seek war, but they preach peace, and it’s “others who want war.”

Catholicism and ISIS

The Islamic State has held several attacks in European countries such as Germany and France in the latest days. On Tuesday, a French priest was killed at his small church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray when two ISIS worshipers entered the location and sliced the 85-year old’s throat. Father Jacques Hamel, died as the ISIS members screamed “Allahu Akbar.”

After the priest’s death, the Catholic community was shocked due to the brutal murder and even French president, Francois Hollande, called the Pope and offered his condolences for the happening. Pope Francis thanked Hollande’s call as he addressed the subject on the papal plane, by providing his greetings to all of those who offered their condolences, especially Mr. Hollande.

The Pope had more to say about the attack. Francis assured that Hamel was just one, in all of ISIS victims, stressing that there have been many deaths.

“How many Christians, how many children have died,” asked the Pope as he explained the current war.

The pope is currently heading to celebrate with 20,000 pilgrims the World Youth Day, that Crux reports being the Catholic equivalent of Woodstock. The celebration takes place in Poland, and it’s a week long celebration.

After the attack in France and the recent violent events in Germany, Poland which is a very Catholic country, has assured safety measures have been made to protect all of the assistants as well as the Pope.

Source: NY Times