Pope Francis delivered his traditional Christmas message from the balcony above a rainy St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. He pronounced Urbi et Orbi, the blessing he gives to the city of Rome and the world.
Last year, the Pope delivered his message due to the corona pandemic from an auditorium in Vatican City, where a limited number of people were allowed. The square had to remain empty. This year the public was again welcome on the square.
Call to Dialogue
In his speech, the Pope called for dialogue, because he believes that is the only way to resolve conflicts. “What would the world be without the patient dialogue of generous people who keep families and communities together. In this time of pandemic, we are even more aware of that.”
“Our ability to maintain social contacts is being severely tested. There is a growing tendency to withdraw, to do everything alone. There is also a danger at international level that dialogue is avoided,” said the pope.
‘Children’s cry in Yemen’
As usual, the Pope drew attention to many tensions and conflicts in the world. He mentioned Syria, where there has been a civil war for more than a decade, but also cited Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Ethiopia and Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Francis also asked the world to “listen to the cries of the children in Yemen”, according to the pope “an enormous tragedy that, ignored by all, has been silent for years, claiming new deaths every day”.
Midnight Mass
Last night, the 85-year-old pope celebrated midnight mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in front of an estimated 1,500 attendees. Mass started at 7:30 PM. A holdover from last year, when this was necessary due to a curfew in Italy.
At mass Francis called for humility. According to the pope, Christmas is a time for people to ignore “social recognition”. He also pointed out that Jesus was born in poverty.
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