Pope Francis: Jihadist attacks are 'homicidal madness'

Pope Francis: "Fundamentalist terrorism is the fruit of a profound spiritual poverty."

Pope Francis has condemned as "homicidal madness" recent deadly "fundamentalist-inspired" attacks around the world.

In a speech to the Vatican diplomatic corps, the pontiff called on religious leaders to reaffirm that "one can never kill in God's name".

He also warned that poverty served as fertile ground for radicalisation.

Thousands of people died in jihadist attacks in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas in 2016.

"We are dealing with a homicidal madness which misuses God's name in order to disseminate death, in a play for domination and power," the 80-year-old Argentine pontiff said on Monday.

"Hence I appeal to all religious authorities to join in reaffirming unequivocally that one can never kill in God's name.

"Fundamentalist terrorism is the fruit of a profound spiritual poverty, and often is linked to significant social poverty," the Pope said. "It can only be fully defeated with the joint contribution of religious and political leaders."

On Sunday, a man drove a lorry on a group of Israeli soldiers in Israel, killing four people

In a similar attack on 19 December, 12 people were killed when a lorry smashed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin

In July, months after deadly assaults in France and Belgium, Pope Francis warned that jihadist attacks in Europe was proof that "the world is at war".

However, he stressed he did not mean a war of religions, but rather a conflict over "interests, money, resources".

In a wide-ranging speech on Monday, Pope Francis also said that:

• North Korea's threats to test ballistic missiles were "particular disturbing" and could spark a "new nuclear arms race"

• Europe was at a "decisive moment" in its history, and the "idea of Europe" should be based on a new humanism

• Stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians should resume

• International efforts to foster peace in a number of conflict-torn African countries must be intensified

• Environment must be protected, backing a global deal clinched in Paris in 2015