Pope Francis has given his support to intervention in Iraq and has said a visit to the country is not out of the question.<br /><br /> However returning from South Korea, he appeared to disagree with unilateral US air strikes against Islamist militants. <br /><br /> Pope Francis said instead it was up to the UN to stop the violence in Iraq.<br /><br /> “In these cases, where there is an unjust aggression I can only say that it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor. I underscore the verb ‘to stop’. I am not saying bombing or making war, but stopping him,” he said, adding “one nation cannot decide alone.”<br /><br /> Francis admitted that he had considered a detour to Iraq after his Korean visit, saying, “ I am willing to go. But at this moment, it would not be the best thing to do, but I am willing to do it.”<br /><br /> In his place he sent a senior Cardinal to visit refugees and distribute charity funds to Iraqi Kurdistan where many Christians have fled.<br /><br /> Church officials in the country are warning of an impending genocide as militants from Islamic State threaten Christians and minorities.
