Pope Francis issued an urgent appeal for peace during his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” speech on Christmas Day, calling on “all people, all peoples and nations” to “silence the weapons and overcome divisions.”
In his address to the faithful gathered in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square to mark the culmination of Christmas celebrations, the 88-year-old pope made particular mention of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“Let there be silence about the weapons in tortured Ukraine,” Francis said from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
He also called for “opening the door to negotiations, as well as gestures of dialogue and meeting, to achieve a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia for almost three years.
The Pope also called for peace in the Middle East.
“Let the doors of dialogue and peace open throughout the region torn by conflict,” he demanded, visibly moved.
Recalling the situation in the Gaza Strip, he said: “Let there be a ceasefire, let the hostages be released and let the population, exhausted by hunger and war, be cared for.”
In his Christmas message, the Pope usually focuses on conflicts and wars around the world and calls for peace and reconciliation.
This year he also mentioned Lebanon, Syria, Libya, as well as conflicts and hardships on the African continent and in Latin America.
After the speech, Francis gave the traditional blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (To the city and to the world).
