Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Jim Bourg.
Pope Francis has issued a statement that nuclear war would be bad. I’m sure most of us just didn’t know that one already.
According to CNN, the pope was traveling from Egypt to Italy when he echoed earlier remarks about the danger of a “piecemeal third world war.”
“It’s piecemeal but the pieces are getting larger, and are concentrated in places which were already hot,” Pope Francis explained. “Today a wider war would destroy, I won’t say half of humanity, but a large part of humanity and culture. It would be terrible. I don’t think humanity today could bear it.”
Nuclear war will have wide ranging, catastrophic effects well past what and whoever is caught in the initial blast zones. That’s been common knowledge for many a decade now. That would be the faster option when it comes to killing ourselves. Right now, we’re going with the somewhat slower option of driving climate change.
“I think the United Nations has the duty to resume its leadership, because it has been watered down a bit,” the pope said, adding that a third-party nation like Norway could help mediate talks between North Korea and the United States.
How about you ask that impotent god of yours to get off its ass, and magically enlighten the fucking idiot parading as the U.S. president? He’s not terribly keen on that whole united nations stuff, and boy, does he love havin’ himself some nukes. As for Norway, pardon? Anyone ask the Norwegian people what they think about that idea?
Via Raw Story.
Why not anathematize involvement in nuclear weapons programs, popey? Oh, right, you know that basically wouldn’t do anything other than reveal that nobody listens to popes anymore.
A nuclear war would be like a great big whole lotta abortions, happening all at once, silly pope. Think of all the ova and uteruses that would be destroyed. Does that help contextualize things for you?
Fuck the living, right? But maybe his popeyness can focus on what “matters” to the church.
Actually, wouldn’t a nuclear war just mean a lot of good people get to heaven a bit sooner and unexpectedly? Religion is so goofy -- in principle aren’t they all waiting and eager to die? Of course not, because they also know it’s all bullshit.
You’re not wrong but these days I feel there can’t be too many reminders that nuclear war = bad, given who is in charge. Maybe this what finally makes it on FOX news where Trump sees it and it sinks in. This is a topic just cannot have enough exposure. Carry on.
Komarov, I agree with you! The last few decades have been very relaxed when it comes to nuclear war, and I think people don’t have a realistic view or fear of it now, at least younger people. Like many people, I had the paranoia and terror of the cold war/nuclear war drilled into my head from childhood. I guess we need to do that again, if we have time.
As for the pope, it was more that it was such a mealy-mouthed pile of shit. What was with pulling Norway out of his arse to deal with this shit? They haven’t done anything to be so punished. If he wants to castigate people over nuclear war, there are people to blame, and lay guilt on, but no, he waters it down so much, “oh, it won’t even kill half of us, but y’know, might kill the right half of us, so maybe … uh, bad … Norway.”
Norway is kind of known as a leader in the peace negotiation role. They have stepped in as negotiators in many conflict spots around the world for many decades, including famously in the Middle East (Oslo Accords) and Central America (FARC). In addition they have been all over Africa negotiating with different factions as well as other parts of the world. They just seem to be good at it.
And, of course, the choose and award the Nobel Peace Prize each year.
So it’s not that strange anyone would suggest Norway should step into a peace negotiation role.
Tom Lehrer on death by nuclear bomb.
Okay, I’ll drop Norway, with saying this should not be incumbent on them in any way.
That doesn’t make Pope Sherlock’s speech any better. As Marcus brought up, where in the hell is the outright condemnation? I’d think if anything could be completely condemned, it would be nuclear war, but he’s talking like nukes are just really big bombs, that would wipe out some humans and too much ‘culture’. What he said was completely useless.
Maybe the Catholic Church could negotiate peace?
Why are you laughing?
Oh, that’s right. The Catholic Church is known for starting wars, creating conflict, colluding with Nazis, and supporting dictators throughout history. Yeah, I can see why he didn’t volunteer for that.