As reported by Voice of America, Pope Francis has called for a worldwide ban on nuclear weapons. He did so on August 9th, marking the 70th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan:

"After so long that tragic event still causes horror and repulsion," the pope said in Rome.

"It became the symbol of the boundless destructive power of man, when the achievements of science and technology are put to wrong use. It remains a permanent warning for humanity to reject war forever and to ban nuclear weapons and every weapon of mass destruction," Francis said.

The pope said he wishes there would be "one voice" that says, "no to war, no to violence, yes to dialogue, yes to peace. With war we always lose."