In his Christmas message, Pope Francis called for global conflicts not to be ignored and for them to be resolved through dialogue instead of violence. All over the world there are still many conflicts, crises and contradictions, said the head of the Catholic Church in Rome. “They never seem to end and we hardly notice them anymore,” said the 85-year-old. The pontiff went into theaters of war and crisis such as in Syria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen.
“We risk not hearing the cry of pain and despair of many of our brothers and sisters,” said the Argentine from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the hundreds of people in the rainy St. Peter’s Square. With a view to the tensions in Ukraine, he warned that “the metastases of a smoldering conflict” should not spread.
Francis also mentioned Iraq, where during a visit in early March he had proclaimed his message of fraternity between all people regardless of religion. Internationally, he feared a risk of unwillingness to enter into dialogue, the Pope said. Only this could lead to a permanent solution for everyone.
Francis says he is praying for women who have been victims of violence
On the subject of migrants and refugees, Francis appealed not to look the other way. He repeatedly criticizes the way they are dealt with. At the beginning of December he therefore visited the island of Lesbos in Greece, which is symbolic of the refugee crisis. It was the first place that Francis visited twice in his pontificate.
Francis also addressed the negative consequences of the corona pandemic, for example on social relationships. “There is a growing tendency to shut down,” said the head of the church. He prayed for women who were victims of violence during the corona pandemic, but also for abused children and the elderly who live in loneliness.
Afterwards he donated the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (The city and the world). With this, the Pope exempts believers from penalties for their sins. The blessing is traditionally given at Easter and Christmas and when a new Pope has been elected. In 2020, Francis also made an extraordinary donation on the occasion of the corona pandemic.