Pope Francis delivered a Christmas message on Christmas Day. He appealed for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. He also spoke about, among other things, African and South American countries torn apart by conflicts and humanitarian crises. Tens of thousands of people listened to the homily in St. Peter's Square.
In a message broadcast worldwide from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at noon on Christmas the pope said: – Let the weapons be silent on the tormented woman Ukraine. Let there be courage to open the door to negotiations and gestures of dialogue and meeting to achieve a just and lasting peace.
– Let the guns be silent in the Middle East. With my eyes fixed on the cradle of Bethlehem, I turn my thoughts to the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, especially in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely serious, he said Franciszek.
Then he added: – Let the fire cease, let the hostages be released and let aid reach the people exhausted by hunger and war.
He also expressed his closeness to the Christian community in Lebanonespecially in the south, and – as he noted – “in Syria, at this very delicate moment.” – Let the doors of dialogue and peace be opened throughout the region torn by conflict – he urged.
Pope Francis on crises in African countries
– May the birth of the Savior bring a time of hope to the families of thousands of children who are dying from the measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as to the inhabitants of its eastern part and its population Burkina FasoMali, Niger and Mozambique – said the pope.
He stressed that the humanitarian crisis affecting the population is mainly caused by armed conflicts and the scourge of terrorism, and “is aggravated by the devastating consequences of climate change, resulting in the loss of life and displacement of millions of people.”
Pope Francis on the balcony of St. Basilica PeterPAP/EPA
He appealed for peace, harmony and brotherhood in the countries of the Horn of Africa, and to the international community to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the population. Sudan.
He encouraged Libyans to pursue national reconciliation.
“Breaking down all the walls of division”
The Pope also prayed for the inhabitants Burmasuffering, as he recalled, due to armed clashes.
Then he said: – May the Child Jesus inspire the political authorities and all people of good will on the American continent to find effective solutions as quickly as possible, in truth and justice, in order to promote social harmony, especially in HaitiIn VenezuelaColombia and Nicaragua. Francis expressed his desire to begin in Christmas Eve The Holy Year became an opportunity to “demolish all walls of division: ideological ones that so often mark political life, and physical ones.”
Midnight Mass led by the PopePAP/EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
In this context, he mentioned Cyprus, which has been divided for decades, and added: – I hope that a mutually agreed solution will be reached that will put an end to the division with full respect for the rights and dignity of all Cypriot communities.
He recalled the fate of children suffering in the world due to war and hunger, and of the elderly forced to live alone, as well as those who flee their land in search of a safe shelter and those persecuted because of their faith. – Every life is sacred – he said.
He appealed to the government to make the Holy Year an opportunity to forgive debts, especially those owed to the poorest countries.
Pope: the door of God's heart is always open
Francis spoke about the “pains of our times” and added: – The door of God's heart is always open, let us return to it. Let us return to the heart that loves us and forgives us.
– Let us let Him forgive us, let us reconcile us to Himself – he exhorted.
– Brothers and sisters – he said – do not be afraid! The door is open, wide open! There is no need to knock on the door, it is open. Come! Let us be reconciled with God, and then we will be reconciled with ourselves and we will be able to be reconciled among ourselves, even with our enemies.
– God's mercy can do everything, it loosens every knot, destroys every wall of division, extinguishes hatred and the spirit of revenge – he added.
The Pope appealed – This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I encourage every person, every nation and country to have the courage to cross the door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the weapons and overcome divisions.
The Pope wished a peaceful Christmas and then gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing, i.e. the city and the world.
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Main photo source: PAP/EPA