Cool Pope Francis confirmed today that it is acceptable for the U.S. to use force in Iraq in order to protect religious minorities. He explained to the Associated Press:

In these cases, where there is an unjust aggression [by ISIS], I can only say that it is licit to stop the unjust aggressor. I underscore the verb "stop." I'm not saying "bomb" or "make war," just "stop." And the means that can be used to stop them must be evaluated.

He continued by advocating for U.N. intervention instead of a U.S.-only mission. "One nation alone cannot judge how you stop this, how you stop an unjust aggressor," he said. "After World War II, the idea of the United Nations came about: It's there that you must discuss 'Is there an unjust aggression? It seems so. How should we stop it?' Just this. Nothing more."

Francis previously expressed disapproval for U.S. intervention in Syria, but this time, Christians are being persecuted. The Pope even said he's considering make a trip to northern Iraq to "show solidarity" with the Christian minority.

Today, the U.S. conducted 15 airstrikes on ISIS militants near the Mosul dam.

[Image via AP]