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Pope Francis again called for peace and an end to the many violent conflicts around the world, particularly the war in Gaza and the invasion of Ukraine, asking everyone to remember “the voice of the innocent.”
“Isaiah, who prophesied of the princes of peace, spoke of a day when one nation will not lift up the sword against another nation,” Pope Francis told a crowd of around 6,500 followers in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. “He wrote of a day when men will no longer learn the art of war, but will turn their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.”
“With God’s help, let us make every effort to ensure that this day comes,” the Pope urged. “May it happen in Israel and Palestine, where war is destroying the lives of these people. I hug you all, especially the Christian communities in Gaza, the parish in Gaza and the entire Holy Land.”
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During his Urbi et Orbi speech – which means “to the city and to the world” – the pope emphasized the suffering of innocent people in the Gaza war, especially children, whom he called “the little Jesuses of today.”
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The pope has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, and in his Christmas address he renewed his call, saying he “carries in his heart the suffering of the victims of the October 7 attack” and called for the release of all Hamas and Hamas hostages still in custody increased humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict.
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Pope Francis delivers his Urbi Et Orbi Christmas blessing and his traditional Christmas message from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on December 25, 2023. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
“May the fomenting of violence and hatred come to an end and may the Palestinian issue be resolved through a sincere and persistent dialogue between the parties, supported by strong political will and the support of the international community,” he said. “Brothers and sisters, let us pray for peace in Palestine and Israel.”
The pope's speech began with a reminder of God's message and the “joy that comes from being God's beloved sons and daughters,” but soon focused on the conflict, asking: “How many innocents are being slaughtered in our world ?”
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He spoke of other conflicts, including the ongoing civil war in Syria, violence in Sudan and the invasion of Ukraine. He called for peace for Ukraine and hoped that the people of Ukraine could feel the support of the Christian community.
Swiss Guardsmen take part in Pope Francis' Urbi Et Orbi Christmas blessing in Vatican City on December 25, 2023. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
He also prayed for an end to hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan and called on refugees to return to their homes, perhaps in a reference to the 120,000 residents of the Republic of Artsakh who were expelled from the region in September.
“The children whose lives are destroyed by war – saying yes to the Prince of Peace means saying no to war, to any war, even to the war mentality,” the pope said. He called the war a “journey without a destination.”
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“Saying no to war means saying no to weapons, to weapons,” he added, lamenting the weakness and “impulsive” nature of the human heart. He noted that sales of guns and weapons are increasing.
People wave Palestinian flags and hold a banner reading “Peace” during Pope Francis' Urbi Et Orbi Christmas blessing in St. Peter's Square on December 25, 2023 in Vatican City. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
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“How much violence and killing takes place amid deafening silence without so many knowing?” the Pope asked. “People who don't want guns but bread, who struggle to make ends meet and just want peace, have no idea how much public money is being spent on weapons – and yet they should know.”
The pope also addressed concerns about human trafficking, food shortages and general suffering before leading the gathered thousands in the Angelus prayer.