“We entrust the entire European continent to the Prince of Peace, asking him to continue to inspire in all a united spirit of cooperation, true to his Christian roots and his history, with solidarity and welcoming of those in need,” he emphasized characteristically, during his Christmas message from .
The Pontiff called on the faithful to “pray especially for the Ukrainian people: let the noise of arms stop and the parties involved, with the support of the international community, find the courage to start an honest, direct and respectful dialogue”, he underlined.
Special reference to the Middle East and Latin America
At the same time, he addressed a special greeting to Christians living in the Middle East and wished for peace and justice to prevail in Syria, Palestine, Israel and Lebanon.
“May the Jesus who was born today inspire those in Latin America who have political responsibilities so that, facing the various challenges, they emphasize dialogue in favor of the common goods and not ideological and discriminatory prejudices,” Pope Leo also noted.
In his Christmas message, he also referred to “those suffering because of injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism”, with particular reference to the people of Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“How can we not remember the scenes in Gaza?”
“How can we not remember the tents of Gaza, which for many weeks have been exposed to rain, wind and cold, but also those of so many other refugees from every continent and the places where thousands of people who are homeless find temporary protection in our cities?” emphasized Pope Prevost, addressing the faithful, at the Christmas service, in the Basilica of Saint Peter.
“It is the flesh of the civilian populations, who suffered the consequences of the wars that are still ongoing or have ended, with ruins and wounds that remain open.
Fragile are the lives and thoughts of the young people who were forced to join the armies and, at the front of the war, they feel that what they ask of them lacks meaning and that the pompous speeches of those who send them to die, are full of lies”, added the pontiff.
“The human flesh asks for care, reception and recognition, it looks for hands capable of offering tenderness and minds willing to show attention, it needs good words,” Pope Leo said, addressing the Catholic faithful. To all people of good will, he also sent another very powerful message: he underlined with emphasis that “when the need of our fellow man manages to find a place in our heart, when the pain of the other shatters all our strongest certainties, then peace already begins”.
