Pope in Assisi: 'There is no such thing as a holy war'

Violence in the name of God does not represent the true nature of religion and must be condemned by all faiths, Pope Francis said.

"We never tire of repeating that the name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone, and not war, is holy!" the Pope said on September 20 at the closing ceremony of an interreligious peace gathering in Assisi.

Following a prayer service with Christian leaders, including Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, the Pope joined religious leaders from around the world to appeal for peace and unity.