In his traditional Christmas message, Pope Francis called for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and used his address to express concern over “very serious” humanitarian efforts to urge the world to “silence the sounds of arms, He called for “overcoming division.” The situation in Gaza.
Francis made direct reference to the Ukraine conflict in his Urbi e Orbi message, calling for “gestures of dialogue and encounters to achieve a just and lasting peace.” His message came hours after Russia launched a massive airstrike using cruise missiles to target energy infrastructure across Ukraine.
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the pope called on leaders to “open the door” to negotiations. “May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine,” the 88-year-old pope added.
In March, President Francis was criticized by Ukrainian officials for saying that Ukraine should have the “courage to raise the white flag” and negotiate an end to the war with Russia. The Vatican's communications director later clarified that Francis had called for a “diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace.”
Francis also addressed the Middle East conflict in his Christmas Day message, calling for “the door to dialogue and peace.” [to] Being blown away. ”
He added: “My thoughts are with the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian situation is extremely dire.” “May there be a cease-fire, the hostages freed, and aid given to the starving and war-weary people.”
The conflict has been raging for nearly 15 months, but there have been repeated ceasefire efforts. stagnateon Christmas Day, the two countries again accused each other of failing to reach a ceasefire agreement.
On Wednesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement that more than 45,361 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Thousands more people are believed to be buried under rubble and tens of thousands more injured.
In his speech on Wednesday, Francis appealed to people to “tear down all walls of separation,” citing examples ranging from ideology to physical walls that “often characterize political life.” He called for a “mutually agreed solution” to demolish the border wall that has divided the Mediterranean island of Cyprus between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus since 1974.
He also called for a ceasefire in Sudan, which has been ravaged by 20 months of brutal civil war and where millions of people are threatened with starvation.
“May the Son of the Most High support the international community's efforts to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for Sudanese civilians and begin new negotiations for a ceasefire,” he said.
On Christmas Eve, Francis opened the “Holy Doors” of St. Peter's Basilica, kicking off the Jubilee of Catholic celebrations that are expected to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome.
On Wednesday, Francis called on people to make the most of the Jubilee. “I invite every individual and every people in every country to step through the door with courage, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms, and to rise above divisions,” he said.
With contributions from Agence France-Presse, Associated Press and Reuters
