Daniele Frison

Today, after the recitation of the Angelus, Bergoglio quoted the words of the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land. "We still do not have, in all humanity, an education that stops all war," he said. He launches an appeal to those who hold power in conflicts: "War is not the way to resolve them".

At the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke of the ecclesial communities of the East who celebrated Christmas today, wishing them that “the birth of the Lord Jesus fills them with light, charity and peace.” He also urged the faithful to continue to pray for peace.” In the Sistine Chapel, the pontiff baptised 16 newborns.

At the Angelus of the Epiphany, citing the historic meeting of 1964 that tore “down a wall of incommunicability that had kept Catholics and Orthodox apart for centuries”, Pope Francis urged the faithful to “learn from the embrace” of pope and patriarch. He renewed his appeal for peace in the Middle East and the world, lamenting “So many victims of war” and “so much destruction”. On Missionary Childhood Day, the pontiff thanked “missionary children and young people throughout the world” for supporting “the proclamation of the Gospel”.

The pontiff spoke about spiritual striving in his first general audience of 2024 in the Paul VI Hall, in the new cycle of the catechesis centred on vices and virtues, which began last week. Noting that “Jesus forgives everything,” he stressed that we must “regain this capacity to ask for forgiveness.”

Today, the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve, Pope Francis mentioned Palestine, Israel, and Ukraine. Let us “think of those who suffer,” he said, and “let us not confuse celebration with consumerism!” suggesting the path of "simplicity" for this time of the year.

Bergoglio, on his 87th birthday: "Let us not forget our brothers and sisters who suffer from war." Remembered the deaths of Nahida Khalil Pauls Anton "Umm Emad" and her daughter Samar Kamal Anton, Christian women killed by Israeli snipers in Gaza. But also Mother Teresa's convent: "Generator hit." To the many young people gathered in St. Peter's for the blessing of the Child Jesus: "I ask you to pray in front of the Nativity for the children who will experience a difficult Christmas."

Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis mentioned that the document signed in Paris in 1948 “is like a master plan. Many steps have been taken, [and] many still need to be made”. Renewing his plea for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, he urged protection for “civilians, hospitals, places of worship”. He praised Armenia and Azerbaijan for freeing prisoners of war. “I encourage the parties and their leaders to conclude the peace treaty as soon as possible.”

Bergoglio, in a video feed from Casa Santa Marta, launched a new appeal for a ceasefire in the Strip. On this morning's attack in Mindanao, Philippines: "I pray for the victims. I am close to the people, they have already suffered so much'. Recalling the International Day of Persons with Disabilities: "Valuing every person".

Pope Francis appeared in St Peter's Square on giant screens because of an “inflammation of the lungs.” His address mentioned the Holodomor famine caused by the Soviet regime, a wound that is still painful. He thanked God for the truce between Israel and Palestine, calling for more aid to Gaza and for dialogue.

Bergoglio during celebration at St. Peter's: "Let us share our bread." Asked to think of the "invisible poor," asking for prayers that we become close to them. Thoughts turn to the people of Myanmar, Ukraine, Palestine and Israel: "Peace is possible!"

During the Marian prayer, Pope Francis spoke again about the war in the Middle East. "Every human being is sacred,” he said. He also called for the release of the hostages, many of whom are “elderly and children." He also lamented the civil war in Sudan with its millions of displaced people and refugees, calling “for peaceful solutions"

After the catechesis dedicated to the French mystic Madeleine Delbrêl, Francis spoke again of the tragedies of "peoples who are suffering from war" in Palestine, Israel and Ukraine. "War is always a defeat," the pontiff reiterated. He also spoke about the most vulnerable people in war, especially young people, many of whom die.