Tens of thousands of people gathered
in St. Peter's Square Thursday to hear the Pope Francis deliver the
Catholic Church's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the city and to the
world") Christmas message, the pontiff sought to focus the world's
attention on the suffering of refugees, hostages and other victims of
the brutal conflicts that continue to rage across the world.
Ukraine. Syria. Mexico. The Islamic State. With a year defined by civil
wars, bloody insurgencies, and horrific acts of brutality drawing
swiftly to a close, it's hard to imagine that 2015 will yield anything
more than 12 more months of humanity at its worst.
"Truly there are so many tears this Christmas," said Francis from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
The pontiff described the conflicts in Iraq and Syria, as
well as going conflicts in Libya, the Central African Republic, and
South Sudan that most of the Western world has forgotten. He expressed
anguish for child victims of violence, including the recent terrorist
attack on a Pakistani military school, recalling the persecution of
ancient Christian communities alongside those from other ethnic and
religious groups while praying for those facing extermination in Iraq
and Syria.
"Today I ask him, the Savior of the world, to look upon our
brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria, who for too long now have
suffered the effects of ongoing conflict, and who, together with those
belonging to other ethnic and religious groups, are suffering a brutal
persecution," Francis said. "May Christmas bring them hope, as indeed
also to the many displaced persons, exiles and refugees, children,
adults and elderly, from this region and from the whole world."
The pope also thanked those courageously helping people infected with
Ebola in West Africa. "ay he be close to all who suffer from illness,
especially the victims of the Ebola epidemic, above all in Liberia, in
Sierra Leone and in Guinea," he said. "As I thank all who are
courageously dedicated to assisting the sick and their family members, I
once more make an urgent appeal that the necessary assistance and
treatment be provided."
You can Read Pope Francis full Christmas message here
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