Pope Francis Condemns Severe Persecution In Iraq: 'Children Are Dying of Thirst'

Pope Francis has recently condemned the ongoing violence in Iraq on behalf of the Islamic State, saying over the weekend that the international community must "stop these crimes and re-establish the rule of law."

Francis made his comments during his Sunday blessing at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, saying that the recent persecution of religious minorities in Iraq "leaves us in dismay and disbelief." The pontiff went on to reference "the thousands of people, including Christians, who have been brutally forced from their homes, children who have died from thirst during the escape and women who have been seized," and denounced "the destruction of religious, historic and cultural treasures."

Francis went on to encourage influential countries and international groups to work toward "an efficient political solution that can stop these crimes and re-establish the rule of law."

Francis was referencing the recent takeover of many Iraqi towns by the Islamic State, an offshoot of al-Qaeda that consists of Islamic militants seeking to overthrow Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

In recent weeks, the Islamic State has managed to take over several villages and some cities, mainly in the country's north. In July, militants overtook Iraq's second largest city of Mosul, forcing all Christian inhabitants to convert to Islam, pay a tax or die. The militants made similar demands of the Yazidi sect in the north, driving members of the sect from their homes and forcing them to seek shelter on Mount Sinjar, where the U.S. and Great Britain have airdropped aid to help those dying of thirst, hunger and lack of medication.