Pope Francis typically dedicates Christmas Day, one of Christianity's most important holidays, to contemplating the wounds of the world. In his speech in the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica before the blessing of Urbi et Orbi, the Argentine pontiff reflected in a particularly critical tone on the wars and crises around the world. Among other things, Bergoglio has focused particularly on the Arab-Israeli conflict, which is “shaking the lives of the populations” of Israel and Palestine. “I embrace both, especially the Christian communities in Gaza and throughout the Holy Land,” Francis said. This Christmas Day, the Pope called for “violence and hatred to continue to be fomented” and appealed to the “political will” and support of the international community “to find a solution to the Palestinian question through dialogue.” the parties.”
“The eyes and hearts of Christians around the world are focused on Bethlehem, where pain and silence reign today,” he added. He then called for a cessation of military operations, the release of the hostages and the admission of humanitarian aid to Gaza. “I carry in my heart the pain of the victims of the heinous attack on October 7th and reiterate my urgent call for the release of those still held hostage. “I ask that the military operations, with their dramatic consequences of innocent civilian casualties, be stopped and that the desperate humanitarian situation be resolved by allowing the arrival of relief supplies,” the Pope noted.
Francis has repeatedly called for an end to the war while trying to maintain the Vatican's usual diplomatic neutrality in conflicts. Although there were moments of tension and their calls were not always well received by some parties. In November, the pope met separately with relatives of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and with Palestinians who have family in Gaza and have been affected in some way by the war.
The meeting ended in controversy. Members of the Palestinian delegation said the pope had spoken of “genocide,” although the Vatican later denied that the pope had used that word. The Israelis' relatives questioned that the pope used the term “terrorism” without specifying who committed it. The Italian rabbis also accused the pontiff of publicly accusing both sides of the conflict of what they said was “terrorism.” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin responded that “the Pope wants to be close to the sufferings of all” and assured that the Holy See “did not overlook” the condemnation of Hamas for its attack on Israel on October 7, but also not “You can ignore what’s happening on the other side,” alluding to the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Palestinian flags are waved in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.YARA NARDI (Portal)
This Christmas Day, Francis once again cried out against wars, “a journey without a destination, a defeat without a winner, a madness without excuses,” and in his speech made a plea against the arms trade. “To say no to war, you have to say no to weapons. For if the man whose heart is unstable and wounded finds in his hands instruments of death, sooner or later he will use them. “And how can we talk about peace when the production, sale and trade of arms is increasing?” said Bergoglio. He also criticized public money being used to purchase military equipment. “People who don't want weapons but bread, who find it difficult to move forward and demand peace, do not know how much public money is allocated to weapons. And yet they should know! This should be spoken and written about so that the interests and advantages behind the wars become known,” the Pope emphasized.
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He has also asked for peace for Ukraine, which has been plunged into war since Russia's invasion in February 2022 and where Orthodox Christians this year celebrated Christmas again on December 25th instead of January 7th, in keeping with the imposed tradition break the Soviet Union and stage a rapprochement with the West. “Looking at the baby Jesus, I pray for peace for Ukraine. “Let us renew our spiritual and human closeness to his martyred people so that, through the support of each one of us, they may feel the love of God in reality,” Francis said.
Francis also looked back at other open conflicts in the world and prayed for “the people of martyred Syria as well as for the people of Yemen who continue to suffer,” as well as for the Lebanese people “so that they may soon recover politically and socially.” Stability.” “.
The pope has also implored “that the day of final peace may come between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” whose confrontation since last September has forced more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to leave their homes after the conflict with which they faced The two countries fought for control of this Caucasus enclave for three decades, with the hostilities killing about 40,000 people. Francis, in turn, called for “the continuation of humanitarian initiatives, the return of displaced people to their homes in a legal and safe manner and mutual respect for the religious traditions and places of worship of each community.”
The Pope also referred to “the tensions and conflicts that are shaking the regions of the Sahel, Horn of Africa and Sudan, as well as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.”
Francis also called for “consolidating fraternal relations on the Korean peninsula and opening paths of dialogue and reconciliation that can create the conditions for lasting peace.” He then recalled the American continent, but without mentioning a specific country mention. “The Son of God, who became a humble child, inspires the political authorities and all people of good will on the American continent to find appropriate solutions that lead to the overcoming of social and political differences and combat forms of poverty that offend them.” “To protect human dignity, eliminate inequalities and confront the painful phenomenon of migration,” said the Argentine pontiff.
Pope Francis, during the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message, this Monday in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT (EFE)
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