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Pope Francis, in Christmas Speech, Urges Nations to Tend to Refugees Pope Francis, in Christmas Speech, Urges Nations to Tend to Refugees
(2 days later)
ROME — As Christians around the world celebrated Christmas, Pope Francis called on Wednesday for a softening of “stony and self-centered hearts,” once again directing the world’s attention to the plight of migrants and people living in areas plagued by conflict, social and political upheaval, injustice, or natural disasters.ROME — As Christians around the world celebrated Christmas, Pope Francis called on Wednesday for a softening of “stony and self-centered hearts,” once again directing the world’s attention to the plight of migrants and people living in areas plagued by conflict, social and political upheaval, injustice, or natural disasters.
Addressing thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pope spoke of the millions of people who have fled their homes for “places where they might have hope for a dignified life,” only to find themselves “before walls of indifference.”Addressing thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pope spoke of the millions of people who have fled their homes for “places where they might have hope for a dignified life,” only to find themselves “before walls of indifference.”
Making his annual Christmas speech, Francis lamented the miseries of several trouble spots, urging the rest of the world to take responsibility for healing those places and to embrace the refugees who leave them. It has been one of the most powerful and consistent messages of his papacy, at a time when many nations have shown little interest in resolving foreign conflicts or taking in migrants and have often blamed newcomers for economic and social ills.Making his annual Christmas speech, Francis lamented the miseries of several trouble spots, urging the rest of the world to take responsibility for healing those places and to embrace the refugees who leave them. It has been one of the most powerful and consistent messages of his papacy, at a time when many nations have shown little interest in resolving foreign conflicts or taking in migrants and have often blamed newcomers for economic and social ills.
Delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and to the World”) benediction from a balcony in the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope asked Jesus to “bless the efforts of those who spare no effort to promote justice and reconciliation and to overcome the various crises and the many forms of poverty that offend the dignity of each person.”Delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and to the World”) benediction from a balcony in the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope asked Jesus to “bless the efforts of those who spare no effort to promote justice and reconciliation and to overcome the various crises and the many forms of poverty that offend the dignity of each person.”
Speaking of “the many children suffering from war and conflicts in the Middle East” and a Holy Land that still awaits “a time of peace, security and prosperity,” he urged “governments and the international community to find solutions to allow the peoples of that region to live together in peace and security, and put an end to their sufferings.”Speaking of “the many children suffering from war and conflicts in the Middle East” and a Holy Land that still awaits “a time of peace, security and prosperity,” he urged “governments and the international community to find solutions to allow the peoples of that region to live together in peace and security, and put an end to their sufferings.”
In the Americas, “where a number of nations are experiencing a time of social and political upheaval,” Francis called for comfort for “the beloved Venezuelan people, long tried by their political and social tensions.”In the Americas, “where a number of nations are experiencing a time of social and political upheaval,” Francis called for comfort for “the beloved Venezuelan people, long tried by their political and social tensions.”
Francis also called for “concrete solutions for an enduring peace” in Ukraine, and cited all those in Africa “who are persecuted for their religious faith, especially missionaries and members of the faithful who have been kidnapped,” as well as “victims of attacks by extremist groups, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.”Francis also called for “concrete solutions for an enduring peace” in Ukraine, and cited all those in Africa “who are persecuted for their religious faith, especially missionaries and members of the faithful who have been kidnapped,” as well as “victims of attacks by extremist groups, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.”
It is such suffering, he said, that has pushed millions of people to leave their homelands to find better lives.It is such suffering, he said, that has pushed millions of people to leave their homelands to find better lives.
“It is injustice that makes them cross deserts and seas that become cemeteries,” he said, and “injustice that forces them to ensure unspeakable forms of abuse, enslavement of every kind and torture in inhumane detention camps.” “It is injustice that makes them cross deserts and seas that become cemeteries,” he said, and “injustice that forces them to endure unspeakable forms of abuse, enslavement of every kind and torture in inhumane detention camps.”
Francis spoke after military marching bands had played the Vatican and the Italian national hymns. “Brothers and sisters, Merry Christmas,” he began, to cheers.Francis spoke after military marching bands had played the Vatican and the Italian national hymns. “Brothers and sisters, Merry Christmas,” he began, to cheers.
Warm applause greeted his address, and the pope then blessed the thousands in the square, and the thousands more who packed the broad avenue that leads to the basilica. “Hurray for the pope,” rose a cheer from the square.Warm applause greeted his address, and the pope then blessed the thousands in the square, and the thousands more who packed the broad avenue that leads to the basilica. “Hurray for the pope,” rose a cheer from the square.
All people are called on “to give hope to the world,” Francis said, before wishing everyone “a good Christmas lunch.”All people are called on “to give hope to the world,” Francis said, before wishing everyone “a good Christmas lunch.”
Earlier Wednesday, Francis was one of three religious leaders who appealed directly to the leaders of South Sudan to end the violence there and form a transitional power-sharing government. Peace talks between the government and rebels stalled this week.Earlier Wednesday, Francis was one of three religious leaders who appealed directly to the leaders of South Sudan to end the violence there and form a transitional power-sharing government. Peace talks between the government and rebels stalled this week.
The brief message — signed by Francis; Archbishop Justin Welby, the leader of the Anglican Church; and the Rev. John Chalmers, the former moderator of the Church of Scotland — said the leaders were praying for “a renewed commitment to the path of reconciliation and fraternity.” Peace in the mostly Christian country, the leaders said, would “bring to fulfillment our desire to visit your beloved country.”The brief message — signed by Francis; Archbishop Justin Welby, the leader of the Anglican Church; and the Rev. John Chalmers, the former moderator of the Church of Scotland — said the leaders were praying for “a renewed commitment to the path of reconciliation and fraternity.” Peace in the mostly Christian country, the leaders said, would “bring to fulfillment our desire to visit your beloved country.”
At a Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s, Francis spoke of God’s unconditional love.At a Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s, Francis spoke of God’s unconditional love.
“Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us,” Francis said in his homily. Whether he had in mind priests who have sexually abused children was not clear, but his message might not be welcomed by victims and other critics who say the church has been far too forgiving of those priests and the prelates who have protected them.“Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us,” Francis said in his homily. Whether he had in mind priests who have sexually abused children was not clear, but his message might not be welcomed by victims and other critics who say the church has been far too forgiving of those priests and the prelates who have protected them.
“God does not love you because you think and act the right way. He loves you, plain and simple,” Francis said. “You may have mistaken ideas, you may have made a complete mess of things, but the Lord continues to love you.”“God does not love you because you think and act the right way. He loves you, plain and simple,” Francis said. “You may have mistaken ideas, you may have made a complete mess of things, but the Lord continues to love you.”
Over the past year, Francis has strengthened the church’s stance in fighting the scourge of sexual abuse, convening a meeting in February of bishops from around the world to address the issue.Over the past year, Francis has strengthened the church’s stance in fighting the scourge of sexual abuse, convening a meeting in February of bishops from around the world to address the issue.
In May, the Vatican mandated that those suspected of abuse be reported to their superiors. This month, it removed the high level of secrecy applied to such cases, which was often cited as a reason not to cooperate with the secular authorities, and which critics said had helped conceal the problem and let it fester in the church.In May, the Vatican mandated that those suspected of abuse be reported to their superiors. This month, it removed the high level of secrecy applied to such cases, which was often cited as a reason not to cooperate with the secular authorities, and which critics said had helped conceal the problem and let it fester in the church.
Anna Momigliano reported from Rome, and Elisabetta Povoledo from Verbania, Italy.Anna Momigliano reported from Rome, and Elisabetta Povoledo from Verbania, Italy.