Pope calls for end to global wars, divisions in Christmas message

Pope Francis called for an end to global wars and divisiveness in his annual Christmas Day message, given Wednesday.

"This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I invite every individual, and all peoples and nations, to find the courage needed to walk through that Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions!" the pontiff said in a message that was also posted to social media.

Francis called for broad reconciliation, “even [with] our enemies.”

The holiday arrived at the start of the Roman Catholic Church's 2025 Holy Year, which revives an ancient church tradition encouraging the faithful to make pilgrimages to Rome.

“I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions," the pope said at St. Peter’s Basilica to a big Christmas crowd in Vatican City.

The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God’s mercy, which “unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge.”

Francis issued a call for an end to battle in several war-torn pockets of the globe, from Ukraine to the Middle East. He specifically highlighted Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, “particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave,” as well as Lebanon and Syria “at this most delicate time.”

The Associated Press contributed.

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