The pontiff also called on Christians to say “no” to war and weapons. The Christmas message and the blessing Urbi et orbi are a highlight of the Christian Christmas celebration.
“How many massacres of innocents there are in the world: in the womb; on the routes of the desperate looking for hope; in the lives of so many children whose childhood is destroyed by war. They are the children of today”, emphasized Francis. He spoke from the loggia to the thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Francis called on Christians to say “no” to war and weapons. “For if man, whose heart is unstable and wounded, holds instruments of death in his hands, sooner or later he will use them. And how can one speak of peace when the production, sale and trade of weapons are increasing?” he said 87-year-old pontiff.
The Pope expressed his closeness to the people of Israel and Palestine. “I embrace them all, especially the Christian communities in Gaza and throughout the Holy Land. I mourn in my heart the victims of the despicable attack of October 7 and renew my urgent appeal for the release of those still held hostage.” , explained the Pope.
Francis also prayed for peace in Syria and Yemen, as well as in Ukraine. “We express once again our spiritual and human closeness to your tormented people, so that they may feel the concreteness of God’s love through the support of each one of us,” said Francis. He also prayed for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Christmas message and the blessing Urbi et orbi are a highlight of the Christian Christmas celebration. 6,500 believers attended Christmas mass with the Pope on Sunday evening. 3,000 pilgrims watched the mass on screens in St. Peter’s Square.
Christmas will be celebrated very quietly in the Holy Land this year because of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas. In Bethlehem in the West Bank – according to tradition, the birthplace of Jesus Christ – there are hardly any tourists, unlike usual. There were no Christmas trees. Access to the city is extremely restricted by Israeli army roadblocks. There are also practically no Christmas decorations in Jerusalem. In Israel and the Palestinian territories, Christians are a very small minority.
