Francis greeted an interfaith group of Iraqis in St. Peter's Square and issued a special appeal for peace in Iraq at the end of his general audience.

A number of nations—many of which already possess nuclear arms—were boycotting the negotiations to ban such weapons.

The pope asked 45,000 children to be silent and reflect on if there were times when they made fun of someone for how they looked or behaved.

Pope Francis, in Milan on March 25, sought to strengthen their faith and to address the dissatisfaction among young people and families due to economic difficulties, which creates fertile soil for populist movements.

Pope Francis said opportunity can come by restoring “the pillars” on which the union was first founded.