Pope Francis has delivered a Christmas message calling for an immediate end to fighting around the world. He encouraged all people and nations to “silence the sound of guns and overcome divisions.”
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The Pope gave the traditional address to people gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Wednesday.
Regarding the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the Pope said: “May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and help be given to the people worn out by hunger and war.”
For Ukraine, the Pope said: “May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiations and gestures of dialogue and meeting, to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
The phrase is a metaphor for the opening of the holy door of St. Peter’s on Christmas Eve this year. He reflected his hope about the situation in Ukraine in the phrase.
The Holy Door is only opened during special periods.
