In Brief: Pope excommunicates members of Italian mafia

Pope Francis strongly denounced organized crime syndicates in Italy during a Saturday Mass, saying members of the Calabrian mafia were “excommunicated from the church.”

The pope made the comments during a visit to the country’s southern region, which has been rocked by mob-related violence, including the killings of a priest and a child in recent months, according to the Official Vatican News Network.

“Those who in their lives have taken this evil road, this road of evil, such as the mobsters, they are not in communion with God, they are excommunicated,” he said.

The area is reportedly known for mob and drug activity. Roughly 200,000 people were expected to attend the service in Sibari, a small town in Calabria.

Pakistani army kills at least 30 militants

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The Pakistani army on Saturday said at least 30 militants were killed after fighter jets bombed their hideouts in two tribal districts in the restive northwest.

The attacks were launched in Khyber and North Waziristan, two of the seven tribal districts.

Military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said all the strikes were in areas where there is no civilian population.