INTERNATIONAL: Pope calls on nations to protect lives, dignity of war victims

15 Aug 2019

By The Record

By Catholic News Service

Marking the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, Pope Francis urged nations to recall the need to protect the life and dignity of the victims of war and armed conflict.

“Everyone is required to observe the limits imposed by international humanitarian law, protecting unarmed populations and civil structures, especially hospitals, schools, places of worship, refugee camps,” he said, after praying the Angelus with visitors gathered in St Peter’s Square on 11 August.

Pope Francis greets Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg during his general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on 17 April 2019. In a new interview on the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, Pope Francis praised the increased awareness and efforts among young people to seek action on climate change. Photo: Yara Nardi/Reuters.
Pope Francis greets Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg during his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 17 April 2019. In a new interview on the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, Pope Francis praised the increased awareness and efforts among young people to seek action on climate change. Photo: Yara Nardi/Reuters.

The Holy Father reminded people that on 12 August marked the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, which, he said, were “important international legal instruments that impose limits on the use of force and are aimed at protecting civilians and prisoners in time of war”.

“May this anniversary make states increasingly aware of the indispensable need to protect the life and dignity of victims of armed conflicts,” he added.

“And let us not forget that war and terrorism are always a serious loss for all of humanity. They are the great human defeat!”

People pray during a healing Mass on 7 August 2019 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Dallas for the 31 victims killed in the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, on 3 and 4 August. Photo: Jenna Teter/The Texas Catholic.
The tower of the Institute for Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, is pictured at the Vatican on 6 May 2016. Pope Francis has approved new statutes for the bank that include structural changes and a mandatory external audit. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS.

The Geneva Conventions of 1949 expanded previous international agreements for the humane treatment of military personnel who were wounded or captured, medical personnel and civilians, by including rules protecting prisoners of war from torture and mistreatment, and providing them with suitable housing, sustenance and oversight by the International Red Cross.

New articles also called for protecting wounded, sick and pregnant civilians as well as mothers and children. Civilians should have access to adequate medical care and must not be collectively deported or made to work by occupying forces without pay.