Pope Francis appeals to victims of war and poverty on Christmas Eve

by

In a mass celebrated at the Vatican this Saturday (24), Christmas Eve, Pope Francis made an appeal to the victims “of war, poverty and injustice”.

The mass was attended by 7,000 people in St. Peter’s Basilica, which reached full capacity for the first time after years of Covid-related restrictions, in addition to 4,000 people who followed the ceremony outside in St. Peter’s Square.

“Men and women in our world, in their hunger for wealth and power, consume even their neighbors, their brothers and sisters,” the pontiff said. “How many wars have we seen! And in how many places, even today, human dignity and freedom are treated with disdain!”

Despite the mention of wars, he did not directly mention the conflict in Ukraine. Since the invasion ordered in February by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the pope has been a vocal critic of the war and has made appeals for peace.

“As always, the main victims of this human greed are the weak and the vulnerable,” he added. “I think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice.”

This is the 10th Christmas celebrated by Francis, 86, since he became head of the Catholic Church in 2013. He arrived at Saturday’s Mass in a wheelchair due to chronic knee pain.

You May Also Like

Recommended for you