Papal appeal to nations to work toward elimination of nuclear weapons (Vatican News)

86 states have signed, and 51 have ratified, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which enters into force on January 22. “This is the first legally binding international instrument explicitly prohibiting these weapons, whose indiscriminate use would impact a huge number of people in a short time and would cause long-lasting damage to the environment,” the Pope said following his January 20 general audience. “I strongly encourage all States and all people to work decisively toward promoting conditions necessary for a world without nuclear weapons.”