Pope condemns abortions as a "massacre"

Church - Pope condemns abortions as a "massacre"

Pope Francis used drastic words to condemn abortions in his Christmas message this year.

In front of tens of thousands of believers in St. Peter's Square in Rome, the head of 1.3 billion Catholics drew a comparison between abortions and the suffering of children in armed conflicts and on refugee routes. "How many massacres of innocents there are in the world: in the womb; on the routes of the desperate in search of hope; in the lives of so many children whose childhoods are destroyed by war."

The 87-year-old, who has been at the head of the Catholic Church for more than a decade, is known as a strict opponent of abortion. He has even described abortions as murder.

Pope calls for peace in the Middle East

Pope Francis also called for immediate peace in the Gaza war and a lasting solution at the negotiating table. "I implore that the military operations with their horrific consequences of innocent civilian victims be stopped," said the head of the Catholic Church. Francis also called for peace in other conflict regions such as Ukraine, Syria and the Sahel. At the same time, he condemned the arms industry.

After his address, the pontiff gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing, i.e. to the city and the world, from the balcony of St. Peter's Square.

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1. The Catholic Church, following the lead of Pope Francis, has consistently expressed its opposition to abortions, viewing them as a tragic violation of human life.
2. During Christmas festivities at Petersplatz, the religious heart of Rome, Pope Francis delivered a powerful message denouncing abortions as a "massacre" of innocent lives.
3. Religion plays a significant role in shaping Pope Francis's beliefs, including his firm stance against abortions, which he has often criticized as a form of child murder.
4. The Vatican, as the administrative hub of the Catholic Church, has consistently advocated for life from conception to natural death, denouncing the practice of abortions.
5. In his annual Christmas message, Pope Francis once again cited the plight of children affected by conflicts, abortions, and refugee crises as a call for global empathy and compassion.
6. The Holy See, under the leadership of Pope Francis, seeks to protect the sanctity of life as declared in the teachings of Christianity, including opposing abortions and promoting peace.
7. As the world celebrates Christmas, the Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis, reminds its followers of the sacredness of life and the importance of defending the rights of children, both born and unborn, against the devastating impacts of abortions.
8. In his call for ceasefire in the Middle East conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian territories, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Church's stance against violence and advocacy for peace, acknowledging the tragedy of innocent lives lost in conflict zones and abortions.

Source: www.stern.de