Pope Francis delivered a poignant ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message, calling for global peace amidst escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. He urged the cessation of violence, emphasizing dialogue for a just resolution in Ukraine and condemning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The pontiff expressed solidarity with Christians in the Middle East and highlighted Africa’s struggles with disease and conflict. He appealed for unity in the Americas and advocated for debt cancellation for impoverished nations ahead of the 2025 Jubilee.
Pope Francis Calls for Global Peace in ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Message
Pope Francis recently shared his heartfelt ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message, addressing the faithful in St. Peter’s Square and the world. His powerful address emphasized the urgent need for peace, urging everyone to ‘overcome divisions’ and ‘silence the weapons’ as conflicts and humanitarian crises escalate across regions such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.
Urgent Appeals for Strife-Torn Regions
Highlighting the dire situation in Ukraine, the 88-year-old pontiff called for ‘silencing the weapons in the martyred Ukraine’ and encouraged ‘gestures of dialogue’ aimed at achieving a ‘just and lasting peace.’ This call came in the wake of Russia’s attack, launching over 70 missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas morning.
In his address, Pope Francis also denounced the ‘disastrous humanitarian situation’ in Gaza, reiterating his plea for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. During the Christmas Mass, he condemned the violence faced by children and the destruction of schools and hospitals due to Israeli military actions, describing these events as ‘cruelty’ that sparked strong reactions from Israeli authorities.
Turning his attention to the broader Middle East, the Argentine Jesuit expressed solidarity with the Christian communities in Lebanon and Syria, particularly during this precarious time marked by the rise of new Islamist powers, raising concerns for Christians’ futures in those regions.
In Africa, he offered prayers for the families of children suffering from a measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and highlighted the struggles faced by people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Mozambique. He lamented that the humanitarian crises in these areas are exacerbated by armed conflicts, terrorism, and the severe impacts of climate change, which result in loss of life and displacement of millions.
Using his platform, Francis urged leaders in his home continent of America to work towards building a common good and recognizing the dignity of each person, regardless of political affiliations. He called for the dismantling of both ideological and physical barriers that separate communities. Additionally, he advocated for the cancellation of debts owed by the poorest nations, coinciding with the upcoming 2025 Jubilee, a significant event anticipated to draw over 30 million pilgrims to Rome.