Stephanie Celustka prayed at Mass for an end to the Islamic State threat in the Middle East. The parishioner from San Diego’s St. Anne Catholic Church is among the 53 percent of Americans who said in a September Pew poll that they support a U.S. military campaign against ISIS, as the Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria are also called. “I think that it’s important that we protect the people who don’t have the ability to protect themselves,” Celustka said. “I just hope the U.S. doesn’t turn into one of those countries that uses its power to take over and control, but uses the power to protect.” Pope Francis told cardinals gathered at an Oct. 20 consistory that “we are witnessing a phenomenon of terrorism of previously unimaginable proportions.” He said the situation demands constant prayers and an adequate response from the international community. Airstrikes from an international coalition led by the U.S. have driven ISIS out of some territory in Iraq and Syria, but the group has continued to dominate, and some military experts are calling for ground troops.
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