Weapons of Mass Destruction

Nuclear weapons do not increase a nation's or region's security, in fact, they are a "risk multiplier" that gives people a false sense of security, Pope Francis said in a message to an international conference.

More than 60 people are feared dead after a Russian bomb reportedly hit a school in eastern Ukraine on Saturday. The attack came as diplomatic efforts were underway to evacuate wounded soldiers from a steel plant in Ukraine's devastated city of Mariupol.

Pope Francis reiterates his appeal for peace in so many war-afflicted countries and asks all believers to pray that leaders be attuned to the wish of their suffering people who know that weapons do not bring peace.

In talks on Wednesday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Pope Francis says the use and possession of nuclear weapons is inconceivable.

The heads of several UN agencies have denounced the deadly blasts at two schools in Kabul on Tuesday, saying the attacks are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Ukrainian officials say Russian missiles have hit the western city of Lviv, as Moscow’s troops step up strikes on infrastructure across Ukraine in preparation for an expected all-out assault on the east.