Pope convenes Mideast envoys amid Islamic threat

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis convened his ambassadors from across the Middle East on Thursday for three days of meetings to find ways to better protect Christians targeted by Islamic militants and care for those who have been forced to flee their homes.

As the Vatican ramps up its support for military force to stop the militants’ advance, Francis told the envoys he hoped their brainstorming would come up with initiatives to show the church’s solidarity with persecuted Christians and “respond to the needs of so many people who are suffering in the region,” the Vatican said.