#PopeFrancis " the world is at war because it has lost (sight) of peace.” Interview with Journalists on Plane

(Vatican Radio)  Referring to recent acts of violence, Pope Francis said on Wednesday that the world is at war but stressed “it is not a war of religions but for power. "It is," he continued, “a war about (economic) interests, money, natural resources and the domination of peoples." The Pope was responding to questions about the recent series of attacks including Tuesday's killing of a Catholic priest in France, put to him by journalists accompanying him on the plane from Rome to Krakow in Poland.  

All religions, he said “desire peace. Others want war.” Right!

Pope Francis noted that the word which is being repeated very often is “insecurity” but the real word is “war.”  The world is at war, a piecemeal war.  There was the 1914 war with its methods, then the 1939-45 one and now this one.”

“It is not very organic (structured) but it is organized, it is war.  This saintly priest, killed right at the moment when he was offering prayers for peace.  He is one (victim), but how many Christians, how many innocent people, how many children… Let’s think about Nigeria, for example.  We say, well, that is Africa!  It’s war.  We’re not frightened to say this truth, the world is at war because it has lost (sight) of peace.”

Speaking next about the World Youth Day gathering in Poland, the Pope continued: “Young people always tell us to have hope.  We’re hoping that young people can tell us something that is (about) a bit more than hope at this time.” 

Finally, Pope Francis expressed thanks for the condolences he received following the killing of the priest in France, “especially” those from France’s President Hollande, who he said had spoken to him on the phone “like a brother.”