VATICAN CITY, March 23 (Reuters) - Pope Leo sharply criticised aerial bombardments on Monday, saying they are indiscriminate and should be banned, in his latest anti-war comments as the U.S.-Israeli
Pope Leo Demands Global Ban on Aerial Bombardments in Latest Anti-War Statement
Pope Leo's Condemnation of Aerial Bombardments and Call for Peace
Papal Critique of Modern Warfare Tactics
VATICAN CITY, March 23 (Reuters) - Pope Leo sharply criticised aerial bombardments on Monday, saying they are indiscriminate and should be banned, in his latest anti-war comments as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week.
Leo, the first U.S. pope, did not specifically mention the expanding conflict in a meeting with executives and staff from Italy's ITA Airways, but he strongly decried the use of airpower in warfare.
Statements on the Human Cost of Airstrikes
"No one should have to fear that threats of death and destruction might come from the sky," said the pope.
"After the tragic experiences of the 20th century, aerial bombings should have been banned forever," he said. "Yet they still exist … this is not progress; it is regression!"
Ongoing Papal Advocacy for Ceasefire
Repeated Calls for an End to Hostilities
The pope has called repeatedly for a ceasefire in the Iran war. On Sunday he called the conflict a "scandal to the whole human family."
ITA Airways and Papal Travel
ITA Airways, controlled by Germany's Lufthansa and the successor to bankrupt national flag carrier Alitalia, is the airline that usually flies the pope out of Rome when he makes overseas trips.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alvise Armellini and Hugh Lawson)
