Addressing tens of thousands of Roman Catholics on Christmas Day at the Vatican on Monday, the Argentine pontiff said children in the Middle East "continue to suffer" because of growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
"Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders," said the 81-year-old.
He delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) message and blessings from the central balcony of the Vatican basilica.
Besides the Israeli-Palestine issue, Francis also hoped for peace in war-torn Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
"The winds of war are blowing in our world and an outdated model of development continues to produce human, societal and environmental decline," he said.
The pontiff also offered a prayer to end nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Each year, millions of Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
http://ift.tt/snsTgS
0 comments:
Post a Comment