Pope Francis calls air strikes on Lebanon 'unacceptable'

Pope Francis called Israeli air strikes on Lebanon a “terrible escalation” of the Middle East conflict at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Reuters has reported.

The pope added that the attacks, in which Israel claims to have been striking targets linked to Hezbollah, were “unacceptable” and urged the international community to do everything possible to halt the fighting.

The head of the world’s Roman Catholics did not specifically identify Israel, but said that he was “saddened by news from Lebanon in recent days that bombardments have caused much destruction and many victims.”

The 87-year-old pontiff, who has suffered ill health in recent years, appeared in good form throughout his audience although he coughed lightly a few times while speaking. He referred to the strikes in Lebanon in off-the-cuff remarks at the end of his hour-long audience.

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