JAKARTA - Pope Francis for the first time condemned the execution of Iran's protesters, in his traditional New Year's address to diplomats on Monday, saying war in Ukraine was a "crime against God and humanity".
Pope Francis' eight-page speech in Italian was read out to representatives from most of the 183 accredited countries to the Vatican.
On the occasion, the Pope criticized abortion, urging "specifically for those who have political responsibility, to try to protect their weakest rights", and he again warned of the threat of nuclear conflict.
However, the main novelty of his speech at the Vatican Hall of Benedictions was his concern about the national unrest in Iran since the death of Kurdi woman Mahsa Amini, 22, when she was detained by Iranian moral police in September.
The Pope condemned the move by Iranian authorities to execute protesters who were deemed to have caused riots.
"The right to life is also threatened in places where the death penalty continues to be applied, as has happened in Iran, following recent demonstrations demanding greater respect for women's dignity," the Pope said.
It is known, so far four protesters have been executed in connection with the Iranian people's wave of protests.
"The death penalty cannot be used for state justice that is recognized, therefore it does not cause a deterrent effect or provide justice to the victims, but only ignites a thirst for revenge," Pope Francis said.
Furthermore, the Pope then repeated calls to end the death penalty worldwide, saying it was "always unacceptable for attacking the dignity of people who cannot be contested".
The Pope said many countries were giving breaks to the commitments they had made to respect human rights and he called for respect for women, saying they were still widely seen as second glassier nationals, who experienced violence and harassment.
"It is unacceptable that some people should be expelled from education, as happened to Afghan women," the Pope criticized.
Regarding the Ukrainian War, Pope Francis highlighted his deaths and destruction, with attacks on civilian infrastructure causing the loss of lives not only from gunfire and acts of violence, but also from hunger and freezing cold".
Citing the Vatican constitution, the Pope said "any war action directed at destruction indiscriminately an entire city or territory with its inhabitants, is a crime against God and humanity that deserves firm and firm condemnation".
It is known, the Pope also repeated his call for a ban on total nuclear weapons, saying their possession for reasons of deterrence was "imMOrality", in the speech.
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