Pope Francis condemns civil wars and IS

Pope Francis condemned the “ocean of pain” engulfing Syria and Iraq, where civil war and Islamic State (IS) militants have forced millions from their homes.

Addressing a meeting of Catholic charities and bishops who work in the Middle East, Francis described the conflicts in the two countries as “one of the most overwhelming human tragedies of recent decades”.

The Argentine pontiff called for a non-violent solution to the fighting, saying that, unlike past atrocities, the modern violence was broadcast live by the media.