Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh

Pope Francis calls for global peace in Christmas address

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Dec 2024 19:13
3 Min Read

The pope addressed the dire situation in Gaza, urging for a ceasefire and the release of captives.

Listen
  • x
  • Pope
    Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (AP)

Pope Francis delivered his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday, urging for an end to violence in conflict zones across the globe. Speaking to thousands gathered at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the pontiff emphasized the urgent need for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan while drawing attention to the critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In his "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and the world") address to the Catholic faithful worldwide, the 88-year-old pontiff called for peace negotiations in Ukraine.

"May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine," Pope Francis said, his voice strained but resolute. "May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation and to gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace."

The pope also addressed the dire situation in Gaza, urging for a ceasefire and the release of captives. He expressed his concern for the Christian communities in the region, particularly in Gaza, where conditions have deteriorated significantly.

"I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war," he said.

Read more: Day 446 of Israeli genocide in Gaza: 45,361 killed, 107,803 injured

Related News

Archbishop Hanna: Christians in the Levant stand firm in their roots

Church of Scotland reflects on Gaza as Beit Lahm cancels Christmas

The pontiff extended his plea for peace to Sudan, which has been gripped by a brutal civil war for nearly two years, leaving millions at risk of famine. He called on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and to support efforts for a ceasefire.

"May the Son of the Most High sustain the efforts of the international community to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population of Sudan and to initiate new negotiations for a ceasefire," he added.

Pope's peace plea

The pope has consistently advocated for a ceasefire in the embattled Strip. Reflecting on the scale of the ongoing genocide, he remarked that the war has become "too much."

In his annual Christmas message last year, Pope Francis says Israeli strikes are reaping an "appalling harvest" of innocent civilians in Gaza.

In a speech to thousands of people in the Vatican's St. Basilica, he said, "How many innocents are being slaughtered in our world? In their mothers’ wombs, in odysseys undertaken in desperation and search of hope, and in the lives of all those little ones whose childhood has been devastated by war. They are the little Jesuses of today."

"May peace come in Israel and Palestine, where war is devastating the lives of those people. I embrace them all, particularly the Christian communities of Gaza and the entire Holy Land."

"I plead for an end to the military operations with their appalling harvest of innocent civilian victims and call for a solution to the desperate humanitarian situation by opening the provision of humanitarian aid."

Read more: Pope slams 'cruelty' of Israeli strike killing Gaza children

  • Christmas
  • Pope Francis
  • Sudan
  • Ukraine
  • Vatican
  • Gaza

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian detainee al-Arida expresses gratitude to Al Mayadeen.
Politics

Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida salutes Al Mayadeen

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez gestures as he speaks at the Global Progress Action Summit, in London, Friday, September 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Spain to maintain arms embargo on ‘Israel’ despite ceasefire

Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian clans condemn chaos in Gaza, back security forces

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during the Israeli aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts Gaza aid to 300 trucks, blocks fuel and gas

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS