Pope Francis spoke to his diplomatic representatives about the role of the Roman Catholic Church in a world suffering effects from Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The pope spoke Thursday to nearly 100 apostolic nuncios and permanent observers of the Holy See.
"Unfortunately, Europe and the entire world are shaken by a particularly serious war, due to the violation of international law, the risks of nuclear escalation, and the grave economic and social consequences," the pope said, Catholic News Agency reported.
Francis said the world has been shaken by a "war of particular gravity."
"It is a 'piecemeal' third world war, to which you bear witness in the places where you carry out your mission," the pope told his representatives.
Francis previously has referred to World War III, including in April when he wrote an introduction to an Italian book in which he said the war was not inevitable.
"When we allow ourselves to be devoured by this monster represented by war, when we allow this monster to raise its head and guide our actions, everyone loses, we destroy God's creatures, we commit sacrilege and prepare a future of death for our children and grandchildren," he wrote.
The Vatican late last month moved to defend Francis from allegations he hadn't come down hard enough on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, saying the pontiff clearly views the war launched by Moscow as "senseless, repugnant and sacrilegious."
Francis on Thursday thanked the diplomats for bringing the pope's closeness "to peoples and churches," saying his representatives had been "points of reference in moments of greatest disorientation and turbulence."
The pope also mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced everyone "to make various restrictions in our daily lives and in our pastoral activity."
"Now the worst seems to be over, and thank God we can meet again," Francis told the diplomats.
The pope said that the nuncios, gathered in Rome for their triennial meeting Sept. 7-10, also had participated actively in the consultation stages of the Synod on Synodality.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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