[SoothingDave]

However, “as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed.”

I can't think of a competent or powerful international authority, can you?

SD

[Notwithstanding]

The pope - who has HUGE IMPORTANT disagreements with the UN about how they ignore human dignity in many aspects (promoting abortion and contraception and homosexual marriage and adoption as "rights") - still believes the UN can reform and work to achieve "competence".

I don't understand how he could think that to be true, but I am encouraged by his optimism and hope. But I do not share it.