Pope condemns missile strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

By Joseph Tulloch

Speaking during his weekly General Audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis condemned a recent missile attack on the city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.

“I express my sympathy and solidarity with the victims, all civilians, of the rocket attack that hit an urban area of Erbil, capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan,” he said.

“Good relations between neighbours are not built with such actions, but with dialogue and cooperation. I ask everyone to avoid any step that increases tension in the Middle East and other warzones.”

On Tuesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had fired eleven missiles at Erbil. Several civilians died in the strikes, which Iran says were aimed at Israeli “spy headquarters.”

Iraq has recalled its ambassador to Iran in protest. It described the attack as “a blatant violation" of its sovereignty that "strongly contradicts the principles of good neighborliness and international law, and threatens the security of the region.”

War a 'true defeat for humanity'

Pope Francis followed this appeal with a call for an end to all wars.

“Let us not forget the countries that are at war,” he said. “Let us not forget Ukraine; let us not forget Palestine and Israel; let us not forget the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip who are suffering so much.”

“Let us pray for so many victims of war, so many victims. War always destroys; war does not sow love; it sows hatred. War is a true defeat for humanity. We pray for the people who suffer in the war.”

Pope Francis has been calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza since 29 October. He has also appealed for peace in Ukraine at almost every General Audience since the war there began.