Catholic Christmas, Pope: “Let Guns Be Silenced!”

From the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, Pope Francis delivered the traditional Christmas message “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world, to all and everyone), calling for the courage to “silence weapons and overcome differences.” Praying for an end to conflicts and crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, Myanmar, Cyprus, and several countries in the Americas.

Pope Francis therefore made a sincere appeal for peace, emphasizing the urgent need to silence weapons and overcome divisions in a world marked by wars and humanitarian crises. The pontiff named the main flashpoints of the conflict, from Ukraine to Gaza to civil war-torn Sudan, and demanded concrete gestures of dialog and solidarity.

Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and the global public watching the Christmas ceremonies on world television, Francis called for an end to the fighting in Ukraine, hoping for a lasting peace: “Let the guns be silenced! Let us have the courage to open the door to negotiations and gestures of dialog and encounters to achieve a just and lasting peace.” This will be a difficult task, as Ukrainian President Zelensky has banned any dialog with Russia by decree.

The Pope then turned his attention to the catastrophic situation in Gaza, condemning the bombing of schools and hospitals and renewing his call for a cease-fire and the release of hostages.

Equally dramatic is the situation in Sudan, where millions of displaced people and growing hunger are exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that the United Nations calls the worst in the world. Francis made a strong call for relief and support for the most vulnerable.

The Pope also mentioned many other countries around the world affected by conflict or instability, from the Middle East to Africa, from Burma to Haiti, drawing attention to families affected by measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as victims of terrorism and climate change in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Finally, a call for unity: Francis urged world leaders to build the common good across ideological and physical divides and renewed a demand to cancel the debts of the poorest countries.

The pontiff appealed to the world not to be afraid because God’s mercy “dissolves hatred.” “Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid!” His Holiness said. “Let us allow ourselves to be reconciled to God, and then we will be reconciled to ourselves, and we can be reconciled to each other, even to our enemies. The mercy of God can do all things, it unties every knot, it breaks down every wall of separation, the mercy of God dissolves hatred and the spirit of revenge. Come on over! Jesus is the Gate of Peace,” the Pope said.