All of humanity loses with war and terrorism, says Pope Francis

For 70th anniversary of Geneva Convention, pope calls for protection of hospitals, schools, places of worship, refugee camps

Pope Francis is hoping the August 12 anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Convention might “make States increasingly aware of the essential need to protect the life and dignity of the victims of armed conflicts.”

The pope mentioned the 70th anniversary after praying the midday Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.

The four treaties and additional protocols of the Geneva Conventions establish the standards of international law for humanitarian treatment in war. They were finalized in the aftermath of World War II, in 1949.

Pope Francis called on States to protect “defenseless populations and civil structures, especially hospitals, schools, places of worship and refugee camps.”

He asked us never to forget “that war and terrorism are always a serious loss for the whole of humanity.”

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