Pope warns of nuclear war threat to humanity

Pope Francis has warned that “humanity risks suicide” with the increased threat of nuclear confrontation between the US and North Korea.

That threat will dominate a Vatican conference gathering 11 Nobel peace laureates, top UN and Nato officials, and ambassadors from key countries.

The Vatican yesterday announced details of the 10-11 November conference, saying it was part of the Vatican’s long-standing effort to promote a nuclear weapons-free world.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke denied the conference represented a mediation effort by Pope Francis.

The Pope has already urged Washington and Pyongyang to step back from the brink of war and accept mediation efforts by others, saying in April that “a good part of humanity” would be destroyed if tensions on the Korean peninsula escalated.

Pope Francis is due to address the conference on its opening day. Top speakers include former UN nuclear agency head Mohamed Elbaradei.