Pope Francis modified the celebration of masses in Latin.

Photo: Reuters.

For Pope Francis, what is currently underway is "the Third World War" and not "in pieces", as he had effectively represented on other occasions, with no attributes other than "total".

What the Pontiff said in the audience of the plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS), gathered in the Vatican on the theme "Basic sciences for human development, peace and the health of the planet", is shocking.

"After the two tragic world wars -he argued-, it seemed that the world had learned to gradually move towards respect for human rights, international law and the various forms of cooperation".

"But unfortunately, history shows signs of regression. Not only are anachronistic conflicts intensifying, but closed, exasperated and aggressive nationalisms are resurfacing, as well as new wars of domination, affecting civilians, the elderly, children and the sick, and causing destruction. everywhere," Francisco stressed.

"The numerous armed conflicts that are underway are a cause for serious concern - the Pontiff pointed out -. I said that it was a third world war 'in pieces'; today perhaps we can say 'total', and the risks for people and for the planet They are always older.

It is not only Ukraine that worries the Pope, but the many conflicts around the world that make up a unique picture of destruction and death.

With one more alarm: "Saint John Paul II gave thanks to God because, through the intercession of Mary, the world had been preserved from atomic war.

Unfortunately, we must continue to pray for this danger, which should definitely have been avoided long ago."

According to Francis, therefore, "it is necessary to mobilize all knowledge based on science and experience to overcome misery, poverty, the new slavery and avoid wars."

"By rejecting some research, inevitably destined, in concrete historical circumstances, for the purpose of death, scientists from all over the world can unite in a common will to disarm science and form a force for peace," he continued.

"In the name of God, who created all human beings for a common destiny of happiness, we are called today to bear witness to our fraternal essence of freedom, justice, dialogue, reciprocal encounter, love and peace, avoiding fueling hatred, resentment, division, violence and war," the Pope emphasized emphatically.

"In the name of the God who gave us the planet to safeguard and develop it, today we are called to ecological conversion to save our common home and our life together with that of future generations, instead of increasing inequality, exploitation and destruction. ", he urged, encouraging academics to "continue working for truth, freedom, dialogue, justice and peace."

"Today more than ever the Catholic Church is an ally of the scientists who follow this inspiration, and it is also thanks to you!"

The Pope also called "for liberation from the various forms of slavery, such as forced labor, prostitution and organ trafficking."

"These crimes against humanity, which go hand in hand with poverty, also occur in developed countries, in our cities," he warned.

"The human body can never be, neither in part nor in its entirety, an object of commerce!" He warned him later more emphatically.

For this reason, he was pleased that the PAS "is actively committed to supporting these purposes" "I would like it to continue doing so with an intensity consistent with the growing need," he said.

And "the scientific achievements of this century must always be guided by the needs of fraternity, justice and peace, helping to solve the great challenges facing humanity and its habitat," the Pontiff concluded.

(With information from ANSA).