Pope Francis has said the spate of conflicts around the world were effectively a "piecemeal" World War III, condemning the arms trade and "plotters of terrorism" sowing death and destruction.
He spoke on September 13 during a visit to Italy's largest military cemetery, where he was commemorating the centenary of World War I.
"Humanity needs to weep, and this is the time to weep," the Pope said at Redipuglia cemetery near Slovenia.
"Even today, after the second failure of another world war, perhaps one can speak of a third war, one fought piecemeal, with crimes, massacres, destruction," he added.
Last month, the Argentine pope said the international community would be justified in using force to stop what he called "unjust aggression" by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
