'World must act to end Syria, Iraq crises without military intervention' - Papal says

Pope Francis said on Thursday that the world must act to end suffering in Syria and Iraq but without resorting to military intervention.

The Pope stated this while addressing a meeting on the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East hosted by the Vatican in its city.

"We need to find a solution, which is never a violent one, because violence only creates new wounds.

"The international community seems unable to find adequate solutions while the arms dealers continue to achieve their interests, with arms that are covered in the blood of innocent people," the pontiff said.

In 2013, Francis made an appeal against the futile pursuit of a military solution, in a letter to Russian President, Vladimir Putin and to all participants of a Group of 20 (G20) summit in St. Petersburg.

Earlier this week, the Pope said he was going to invite Catholic charities, bishops and other officials to discuss the situation in Syria and Iraq.

The Vatican said that no fewer than 250,000 people had died and one million wounded in the region since 2011.

Francis said that he was praying for all the victims, but offered a special thought for persecuted Christians.

"I cannot fail to mention the serious harm to the Christian communities in Syria and Iraq, where many brothers and sisters are oppressed because of their faith.

"They are driven from their land, kept in prison or even killed," the Pope added.