For the sake of world peace, Pope Francis has urged warring nations to put down their weapons.
In his Christmas address to the globe on Wednesday, the Catholic pope made this plea.
He condemned the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the silencing of all weapons worldwide, as well as peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan.
As 170 Russian missiles and drones pounded Ukraine on Christmas morning, the Pope used his customary “Urbi et Orbi” address to the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide to urge negotiations for a fair settlement in that country.
As reported, the phrase “Urbi et Orbi,” which translates to “to the city of Rome and to the world,” describes the papal benediction that is given to the entire world on various occasions.
Traditionally, the blessing is bestowed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“May Ukraine’s war-torn country be free of the sound of weapons. In order to attain a fair and sustainable peace, may the courage be required to allow for negotiations as well as gestures of discussion and encounter,” he remarked.
The Pope also called for a truce in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas there in front of thousands of worshippers assembled in front of Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
“I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war,” he added.
The 88-year-old continued his plea for an arms embargo to the whole Middle East, including Sudan, where millions of people face hunger after 20 months of bloody civil conflict.
