Pope Francis Says , Religion Can’t Justify the ‘Evil’ of War.
NBC News reports that on Sept.
14, Pope Francis spoke at an interfaith conference in Kazakhstan.
Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the pope told faith leaders, including the Russian Orthodox hierarchy, .
That God should never "be held hostage to the human thirst for power" and religion should never be used to justify the "evil" of war.
The pope also quoted a Kazakh poet, saying, "he who permits evil and does not oppose it cannot be regarded as a true believer.
At best he is a half-hearted believer.".
While Pope Francis didn't directly mention Russia or Ukraine, he called upon faith leaders to promote a culture of peace.
If the creator, to whom we have devoted our lives, is the author of human life, how can we who call ourselves believers consent to the destruction of that life?, Pope Francis, via statement.
Mindful of the wrongs and errors of the past, let us unite our efforts to ensure that the Almighty will never again be held hostage to the human thirst for power, Pope Francis, via statement.
Lastly, the pope urged leaders to resolve disputes via conversation, not violence.
.
May we never justify violence.
May we never allow the sacred to be exploited by the profane.
The sacred must never be a prop for power, nor power a prop for the sacred!, Pope Francis, via statement
