Pope Francis makes Christmas plea for peace

Pope Francis delivered words of hope and comfort, alongside pleas for peace, in his Christmas Day address.

The pope’s central theme this year was the need to strive for harmony and fairness – amid the wars, terrorism and hardship blighting the lives of many people around the world.

There were special words for the families of victims of terror attacks.

“Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of the brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities,” he said, addressing the crowd of some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

Christ is born for us, let us rejoice in the day of our salvation!

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 25, 2016

Francis called on the Palestinians and Israelis to put aside hate and appealed for humanitarian aid for Syria.

He also urged people to remember refugees and migrants and all those hit by economic instability caused by “idolatry of money.”