Pope Francis on condemned the ongoing destruction and violence in Iraq and called for an end of all hostilities in region during his weekly Sunday address at the Vatican.

The Pope said news of the war in Iraq has left him "in dismay and disbelief." He used strong words to describe the plight of thousands of religious minorities caught in the violence as jihadists continue to fight in their quest for independence.

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He said many Christians have already been brutally driven from their homes without adequate resources, causing children to die from lack of food and water. He also noted the women kidnapped by jihadists and the thousands already massacred.

"All of this deeply offends God and deeply offends humanity," Pope Francis said. "Hatred is not to be carried in the name of God. War is not to be waged in the name of God." 

He thanked those who have offered and continue to offer aid to civilians and called for a political solution from both local and international levels to end the violence and "re-establish the rule of law."

Pope Francis' words came a day after he had appointed Cardinal Fernando Filoni as his envoy to Iraq, The Guardian reported.

Filoni is expected to leave Rome on Monday and travel to Iraqi Kurdistan, where most of the Christian minorities are seeking refuge, according to Father Federico Lombardi, a spokesman for Pope Francis.

The envoy's visit is intended to provide comfort and support to the Christians in Iraq. Filoni is also reportedly bringing financial aid to provide emergency assistance to those most affected by the violence, Reuters has learned.

The 68-year-old envoy was once considered as a candidate for the papacy and was previously the Vatican's ambassador for Jordan and Iraq towards the end of Saddam Hussein's reign.

According to The Guardian, plans are underway for a meeting in September where Vatican diplomatic envoys are expected to discuss and organize a drive to support refugees of the war.

TagsISIS, Mount Sinjar, Yazidi, religious minorities, Pope Francis, Vatican, Fernando Filoni, Federico Lombardi