Pope Francis Calls for Mediation In North Korea Crisis

Pope Francis has urged for international mediation to ease rising tensions between the US and North Korea over Pyongyang’s nuclear activity.

The Pope suggested that Norway, for example, was “always ready to help”.

Pope Francis warned the crisis risked sparking a devastating war in which “a good part of humanity” would be destroyed.

The pontiff’s comments come hours after North Korea test-fired another ballistic missile, which the US and South Korea say exploded shortly after take-off.

The missile was fired from a site in South Pyeongan province, north of Pyongyang, South Korea said.

President Donald Trump accused Pyongyang of showing “disrespect” towards China and its president.

He recently hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and praised him for “trying very hard” on North Korea.

The test came just hours after the UN Security Council had discussed North Korea’s missile program.

Speaking to reporters aboard his plane after a visit to Egypt, Pope Francis said: “There are so many facilitators in the world, there are mediators who offer themselves, such as Norway for example.”

The pontiff warned that the situation had become “too hot” and said: the “path is the path of negotiations, of a diplomatic solution”.

In 2003 six-party talks – involving the two Koreas, the US, China, Japan and Russia – were launched to address concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program. However, Pyongyang withdrew from the negotiations in 2009.

Tensions in the region have increased lately, with both North and South Korea conducting military exercises.

North Korea is believed to be continuing efforts to miniaturize nuclear warheads and fit them on long-range missiles capable of reaching the US.

It is not known what kind of missile was unsuccessfully launched on April 29. However, US officials told Reuters that it was probably a medium-range missile known as a KN-17.