ATHENS 

Pope Francis has called for an end to wars and international disarmament.

“While war only devastates communities and the environment, without offering solutions to conflicts, diplomacy and international organizations are in need of new vitality and credibility,” Francis said in response to a letter by Italian daily Corriere della Sera’s editor-in-chief, the Vatican News agency reported Tuesday.

“As I have already said, war appears even more absurd,” he added.