Pope Francis emphasized the end of wars occurring around the world, including in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, on Christmas Day, the 25th (local time).
According to AFP and other sources, the Pope delivered the official Christmas message "Urbi et Orbi" (to Rome and the whole world) before thousands of people gathered at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on that day.
The Pope said, "I hope that the sound of weapons will quiet down in Ukraine, trampled by war, and that there will be the courage to open the door to negotiations for just and lasting peace, to dialogue and meet."
He also stressed that "the door to dialogue and peace must be opened" regarding the Gaza Strip, where war is ongoing between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas. He said, "I think of Israel and Palestine, especially the Christian community in the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian situation is very serious," and prayed, "May there be a ceasefire there, may hostages be released, and may aid reach those wounded by hunger and war."
He also called for greater humanitarian access to Sudan, devastated by civil war.
He emphasized that political, military, and social conflicts occurring in Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua must also come to an end. The Pope said, "It must be a time when every individual and every nation becomes a pilgrim of hope, silencing the sound of weapons and overcoming division."
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