Urbi et Orbi: Pope calls for peace in the Middle East

Christmas message - Urbi et Orbi: Pope calls for peace in the Middle East

In his Christmas message,Pope Francis called for immediate peace in the Gaza war and a lasting solution to the Middle East conflict 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 in front of tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square in Rome.

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.

Urbi et Orbi blessing

After his speech, the head of a total of 1.3 billion Catholics gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing, i.e. to the city and the world. Prior to this, Francis had already drawn attention to the fate of the people in the Middle East during Christmas Eve mass.

Christmas is being celebrated very quietly in the Holy Land this year due to the war in Gaza between Israel and the Islamist Hamas. There are hardly any tourists in Bethlehem in the West Bank - according to tradition the birthplace of Jesus Christ - or Jerusalem.

In his address, the Pope said: "Do not continue to incite violence and hatred, but bring the Palestinian question to a solution. Through a sincere and persistent dialog between the parties, supported by a strong political will and the support of the international community." At the same time, he demanded that Hamas release all hostages. Francis described their attack on Israel on October 7 as "despicable". He called on Israel to allow more aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.

Pope only briefly addresses other conflict regions

The Pontiff also addressed other conflict regions in his speech, but only relatively briefly. Regarding the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which will soon last two years, he said: "With my eyes firmly fixed on the Child Jesus, I implore peace for Ukraine. We reaffirm our spiritual and human closeness to their tormented people." Francis also recalled that many conflicts in the world are not given much attention. "How many armed massacres take place in deafening silence without many people knowing about them!"

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

Pope: No to weapons

In his Christmas address, the pontiff also castigated the work of the arms industry, which makes huge profits from wars and conflicts. "To say 'no' to war, you have to say 'no' to weapons," said Francis. "Because if man, whose heart is unsteady and wounded, has the instruments of death in his hands, sooner or later he will use them." The Pope spoke of "machinations of evil that oppose the divine light, in the shadow of hypocrisy and secrecy". The interests and profits of the "masterminds of wars" must be made public.

The Pope gave the blessing standing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He remained seated during the speech. The 87-year-old has been suffering from health problems for some time now, including a knee ailment.

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1. Despite the tension in the Middle East conflict, many people still visit the Sahel zone during their holidays, showcasing the region's diverse tourism needs.
2. The Middle East conflict, along with the situation in Ukraine and Syria, has been a major focus of international discussions and calls for peace.
3. The Palestinian territories have been a center of controversy, with Harakat el-Mukawame el-Islamije and other groups playing significant roles in the ongoing conflict.
4. Amidst the chaos of the Middle East conflict, Christmas celebrations in Peterson's Square, Rome, have remained a symbol of hope and unity.
5. The need for peace in Jerusalem and Bethlehem has been a recurring theme in Pope's speeches, as tensions in the West Bank continue to escalate.
6. Liberalization of the Defense industry and arms trade have been criticized as contributing to conflicts in various regions worldwide, including the Middle East.
7. The Catholic Church, under Pope Francis' leadership, has consistently advocated for dialogue and reconciliation, particularly in relation to the Palestinian territories and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
8. On Saint's Eve in Vatican City, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of promoting peace rather than inciting violence and hatred, echoing his sentiments on the Middle East crisis.
9. Pope Francis' Christmas message to the world highlighted the plight of innocents affected by war in different parts of the world, including in the Middle East and in Syria.
10. Despite the political tensions and the ongoing war in Gaza, the small town of Bethlehem in the West Bank still cherishes its deep religious significance, especially during the Christmas festivities.
11. The Roman Catholic Church and its leader, Pope Francis, have emerged as strong advocates for peace in the region, calling upon nations to engage in peaceful negotiation and resolution in conflict areas such as the Middle East.
12. The Defense industry's involvement in the Middle East conflict and other global conflicts has ignited controversy, with some arguing that it perpetuates the cycle of violence and increases the needs of the affected regions.

Source: www.stern.de