Global Pause / Resume?

This is a very common issue I think: a player uses the “back” key --> a game should be paused --> a menu (resume / options / exit ) should be displayed on the first stage.

 

So we must “pause” any animations, transitions, timers, etc.

But a player can press a “back” key anytime!

 

How can I do it more “automatically”? Does Corona support global pause/resume?