Vatican Warns of 'New Genocide' by Islamic State

Vatican City: The Vatican has demanded that world governments do more to prevent a possible "new genocide" in northern Iraq and Syria, and for Muslim leaders in particular to repudiate the Islamic State militants who are killing and exiling the region's Christians.

Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told a special meeting of cardinals on Monday that beyond a military response, governments must provide more humanitarian aid for refugees and address the core causes of the conflict: the flow of weapons to the region and instability stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Cardinal Parolin also said Catholic leaders are particularly alarmed that western governments are offering visas to persecuted religious minorities. He said these Christians must be encouraged to stay in the region and be given security guarantees so they can return home.