Pope Francis on Saturday , September 13, celebrated Mass at the Italian Military Memorial of Redipuglia. The visit to the area, which was the scene of fighting between Italy and the forces of the Central Powers during World War I, was to mark the centenary of the beginning of the war. The Mass was said for the fallen and victims of all wars. Here lie many victims. Today, we remember them,” said Pope Francis, during his homily. “There are tears, there is sadness. From this place we remember all the victims of every war.

Wedding bells are about to ring in the Vatican: On Sunday September 14, Pope Francis will wed 20 couples from the city of Rome. After a series of baptisms, communions and confirmations, after listening to confessions and having presided priestly ordinations, the Bishop of Rome is now to unite 40 people, from his diocese, in marriage. The youngest is 25 years old and the eldest 56. Among the couples that will be walking down the aisle in St. Peter’s Basilica, will be some couples that are already living together. Some of them will be accompanied by their children.

Just as "commander-in-chief", Barack Obama, addressed the US and the world, announcing the imminent launch of a “long and complex” military campaign against the jihadists and the Islamic Caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

We have every reason to be concerned with the fate of the Christian communities of the Arab World. From Egypt to Iraq, these ancient churches have not only survived through centuries of hardship - foreign invasions and domestic repression - they have also played an important role contributing to Arab culture and Islamic civilization.

“Military analysts attest that the existing military solution is not effective. Being limited to this medium can continue to permit the Islamic State to conquer territory, and give it occasion to commit further atrocities,” the Jesuit periodical La Civiltà Cattolica writes in an analysis published in its latest issue.

Three elderly Italian Xaverian missionary nuns were killed at two separate moments at their convent in Kamenge. The reasons for the murder are not yet known. The killings came as a big blow to the local community which was very attached to the nuns.

Islamic State (IS) jihadists are spreading violence and death. The entire world is still shaken by the horrific murder of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, the two US journalists who were decapitated and the macabre scenes captured on video. International politics is trying to react but Muslim countries are expected to take more concrete initiatives.

The human toll, of course, is the most important concern: the killing of innocent people, the rape and enslavement of women, the brutal uprooting of a population whose ancestors have lived there for untold generations.

But the story of civilization that is recorded in everything from stone tablets and sculptures of winged lions to ancient monasteries and languages is also very much at risk as the Islamic State tries to establish a caliphate in Syria and Iraq.

The news from Iraq can be terrifying from a distance. But up close and in person, Iraqi families could not be more gracious, welcoming and kind — despite the dire backdrop in which they are living.

In a tent where the heat is sweltering and water is in scarce supply, you are offered a bottle of cold water. Under an open sky where a family — who lived in a nice home less than a month ago, and today lives under a tree — you are graciously offered tea. Above all, you are offered apologies that they are not able to offer you anything more.

Francis may be paying a visit to Turkey in November. Before the Pope’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, had expressed the hope that Francis would follow in the footsteps of St. Andrew and go on a pilgrimage to Turkey to mark the feast of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 30 November. Francis immediately agreed but there needed to be sent from the Turkish government.