In his annual Christmas message to the faithful, “Urbi e Orbi,” Pope Francis called for peace around the world and an end to global conflicts.
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Francis reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, implored the Islamic terrorist group to release the remaining hostages, and “opened the door to dialogue and peace.” he complained. [to] It gets blown open. ”
The 88-year-old pope also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling for “boldness to open the door to negotiations” in the nearly three-year conflict.
“May the sounds of arms be silenced in Ukraine,” he told a large audience, calling for “dialogue and gestures of encounter in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.” Ta.
The Pope marked his 12th Christmas as head of the Roman Catholic Church by calling for an end to bloodshed and political turmoil in troubled areas of the world, including Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
He will also be at St. Peter's Basilica to mark the start of the 2025 Jubilee Year (a year-long festival that takes place every quarter century and allows pilgrims who enter it to be forgiven for their sins). Opened the great holy door.
