The Vatican’s Secretary of State has supported military intervention to disarm an unjust aggressor in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
Speaking on Sunday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin cited conditions stipulated under Catholic just war doctrine.
He said comments Pope Francis made in 2014 that it is “licit” to use force to disarm an unjust aggressor remain valid.
The cardinal said it is important that any military action enjoy international support.
He also indicated that the Vatican will not back any specific plan for action against ISIS.
“Our role is to remember these [just war] conditions, not to specify means to stop the aggressor,” he said.
He called for a global mobilisation to root out terrorism and said the Muslim community must be part of any wider solution.