Pope Francis urges peace in conflict zones in Christmas address

World 02:45 26.12.2018

The Pope has used his annual Christmas message to appeal for peace in conflict zones including Yemen and Syria.

The two countries have both been ravaged by civil war for years, pushing their people into humanitarian crises.

"My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture," Pope Francis said on Tuesday.

The Pontiff was giving his yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and to the World) address in the Vatican.

"My thoughts turn to Yemen, in the hope that the truce brokered by the international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine," he said from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, addressing the square below.

He also said he hoped the international community would "work decisively for a political solution" in Syria - a country that is approaching its eighth year of civil war.

"So that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country," he added.

The United Nations says more than 6 million civilians have been displaced there since the war there began.

His address also alluded to worldwide tensions over migration, saying that God wanted "love, acceptance, respect" throughout all humanity.

"Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger - they are a source of richness," he said.

Pope Francis revealed his hope for renewed talks between the Israelis and Palestinians to "undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has lacerated the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love".

'A call for resolution'

James Reynolds, BBC News in Rome

On Christmas Day, a Pope can enjoy the luxury of the world's stage largely to himself.

At mid-day, Vatican bands heralded Francis' entrance onto the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The Pope addressed the pilgrims and tourists in the square below, turning the pages of his speech carefully as he called for the resolution of many of the world's conflicts.

He also sent a message to minority Christian communities who are living in what he called hostile situations. In order to reinforce this thought, Francis has sent his Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Iraq to hold festive services with that country's small Christian population.

The traditional Christmas address is a short breather from some of the problems facing the Pope. This year, he has been criticised for his failure to understand the scope of the clerical sexual abuse crisis. Francis has called bishops from around the world to Rome in February 2019 to discuss how the church might respond.

The 82-year-old is the first Pope from Latin America - a region he also referenced in his annual address, calling for political reconciliation in Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The Pontiff also referenced Ukraine, as well as the millions of people displaced in Africa.

The address comes one day after Pope Francis' traditional Christmas Eve message, in which he condemned the huge divide between the world's rich and poor.

In his homily, Pope Francis said the birth of Christ pointed to a new way to live "not by devouring and hoarding, but by sharing and giving".

He continued: "Let us ask ourselves: Do I really need all these material objects and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?

The Pope has made highlighting the plight of the poor a key theme of his papacy.

Uzbek Representative IEPF Shukhrat Barlas Receives "100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev" Jubilee Medal - PHOTOS/VIDEO

News line

Mbappé announces PSG exit ahead of likely Real Madrid move
13:23 11.05.2024
Former Armenian MP detained in Russia
Former Armenian MP detained in Russia
12:59 11.05.2024
Actions of disobedience resume in Yerevan and several Armenian regions
12:38 11.05.2024
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
12:19 11.05.2024
Azerbaijani and Armenian FMs to continue negotiations in Almaty today
11:55 11.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev receives ICESCO Director General in Shusha
11:42 11.05.2024
Uzbek Representative IEPF Shukhrat Barlas Receives "100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev" Jubilee Medal - PHOTOS/VIDEO
11:25 11.05.2024
President: We never wanted war, and we don't want it today either
10:50 11.05.2024
Kharibulbul International Music Festival to kick off in Shusha today
10:35 11.05.2024
President of COP29 visits COMSATS headquarters in Pakistan
10:13 11.05.2024
School bus accident in Antalya, Türkiye: 25 injured as student transport plunges into ravine
09:58 11.05.2024
United Nations General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership
09:00 11.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates Shusha residents on their returning to native land
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates Shusha residents on their returning to native land
23:00 10.05.2024
President: A new history of Shusha begins today
22:33 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani President: The war could not have ended successfully without Shusha
21:45 10.05.2024
Is a Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia Possible by November?
21:00 10.05.2024
Spain, Ireland intend to recognize Palestine, Borrell says
20:00 10.05.2024
Brazilian flood death toll reaches 107
Brazilian flood death toll reaches 107
19:40 10.05.2024
Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ‘top priority’ for PSG to replace Mbappe
Napoli star Kvaratskhelia ‘top priority’ for PSG to replace Mbappe
19:20 10.05.2024
Participation of Swiss companies in restoration work in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur discussed
19:00 10.05.2024
Green technology online platform to be established in Azerbaijan
18:40 10.05.2024
Alparslan Bayraktar: Türkiye aims to deepen energy cooperation with US
18:20 10.05.2024
Bilateral Meeting Commences: Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Discuss Peace Agreement in Almaty
17:45 10.05.2024
COP29 president mulls consequences of climate change in Pakistan
17:22 10.05.2024
Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO
Azerbaijan Army holds Military Oath-taking ceremonies - VİDEO
17:05 10.05.2024
Ilham Aliyev views works done on Khankandi-Shusha-Lachin highway
Ilham Aliyev views works done on Khankandi-Shusha-Lachin highway
17:03 10.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lays foundation of Turshsu settlement of Shusha district
16:57 10.05.2024
President, First Lady attend opening of first residential complex in Shusha
16:38 10.05.2024
Armenian FM Mirzoyan: Yerevan aimed at signing peace treaty
16:05 10.05.2024
Scotland's first minister says independence from UK 'can be achieved in five years'
Scotland's first minister says independence from UK 'can be achieved in five years'
15:48 10.05.2024
Russian Analyst Offers Insights on Armenian Border Guard Situation and Foreign Policy Dynamics
15:30 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani FM Bayramov hopes two days of work in Almaty will be positive
15:24 10.05.2024
President, First Lady view reconstruction work at Chol Gala Mosque in Shusha
15:15 10.05.2024
Iranian Government Attempting to Persianize Nizami Ganjavi
15:02 10.05.2024
Iran Unveils Discovery of New Oil and Gas Reserves
Iran Unveils Discovery of New Oil and Gas Reserves
14:45 10.05.2024
Umud Mirzayev: "Heydar Aliyev is an eternal leader"
14:33 10.05.2024
Meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian foreign ministers kicks off in Almaty
14:22 10.05.2024
Azerbaijani CEC Chairman says parliamentary elections may be pushed forward for COP29
14:10 10.05.2024
Armenian protesters blocked the Armenia-Iran road
13:57 10.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev attends opening of first tunnel on Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway
13:39 10.05.2024
Hamısı