Pope calls for universal reconciliation and peace in Christmas message
On December 25, Catholics around the world celebrate Christmas. Pope Francis called for universal reconciliation and peace in his Christmas message.
On December 25, Catholics around the world celebrate Christmas. Pope Francis called for universal reconciliation and peace in his Christmas message. The Pontiff has called for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.
"Let the sound of weapons fall silent in war-torn Ukraine," he said, calling for "dialogue to achieve a just and lasting peace." Pope Francis, 88, marking the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, called for an end to political, social and military conflicts in Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
The Patriarch also renewed his call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. He described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "extremely dire" and asked for "the doors of dialogue and peace to be opened."
Pope Francis also called for easier access to humanitarian aid in Sudan, which has been devastated by a brutal civil war and where millions of people are at risk of famine.
"May the Son of the Most High sustain the efforts of the international community to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population of Sudan and to launch new ceasefire negotiations," he said. Pope Francis also noted that Christmas should be "a time to tear down all walls of division."
