WorldVATICAN CITY, AFP -Pope Francis on Wednesday said those behind the bombing of Aleppo, where Syrian and Russian forces have conducted days of deadly airstrikes, will have to “answer before God.” “I appeal to the conscience of those responsible for the bombardment, who will have to answer before God,” the pope said at his weekly address in St Peter's square, without naming Syria or Russia. He spoke of his “deep pain and serious concern about the events” in Aleppo, where air strikes by Syrian and Russian forces on eastern rebel positions have sparked international condemnation. They followed last week's collapse of a ceasefire deal brokered by Washington and Moscow. The pope's comments come two days after the US accused Moscow of “barbarism” over the carnage in Aleppo, where France said Tuesday that “war crimes” were being committed. Some 140 people, nearly all civilians, have been killed in the Syrian and Russian raids since late Thursday.

Source: Sunday Times September 28, 2016 11:14 UTC