Pope Francis in his Christmas message Wednesday has renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
And also the need for peace talks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Pope Francis who has never hidden his feelings about the war in Gaza and drawing rebuke from Israel, said people need to silence the sound of arms in the war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, “particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave,” as well as Lebanon and Syria “at this most delicate time.”
“I invite every individual, and all people of all nations … to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,” the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to throngs of people below.
The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God’s mercy, which “unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge.”
