Pope Francis has said he hopes the Paris Olympics will be an occasion for truces in the world's conflicts, urging athletes to be messengers of peace and models for young people.

The games commence on 27th July, with an opening ceremony on the River Seine that will feature about 10,500 athletes and over 100 heads of state and government.

During his weekly address to the crowds in St Peter's Square on Sunday 21st July, the pope said he hoped that "according to the ancient tradition, the Olympics will be an opportunity to establish a truce in wars, by demonstrating a sincere desire for peace".

He acknowledged conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar, saying: "let us not forget war is a defeat".

Last month the final statement of a G7 leaders' meeting held in Italy included a unanimous call for a truce in global conflicts during the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Torch is being carried through France. It was most recently carried by wounded AFP journalist Christina Assi, who was hurt in Israeli crossfire whilst reporting in Lebanon. The same shellfire killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah, and injured the six others. Assi dedicated her journey with the torch to her fallen colleagues.