Pope urges world leaders to fight against terrorism ‘plague’

Pope Francis urged leaders to work together to fight the “plague of terrorism”, saying in his New Year’s address that a bloodstain was covering the world as it started 2017.

Speaking to some 50,000 people in St Peter’s Square for his traditional address, Francis departed from his prepared text to condemn the Istanbul nightclub attack that killed at least 39 people.

“Unfortunately, violence has stricken even in this night of good wishes and hope. Pained, I express my closeness to the Turkish people. I pray for the many victims and for the wounded and for the entire nation in mourning.