Pope decries 'senseless' war in Ukraine in Christmas Day message

 (Photo: Vatican News)

The Pope has used his Christmas Day message to call for peace and an end to the "senseless" war in Ukraine.

Pope Francis lamented the "icy winds of war" buffeting humanity and said that the fighting in Ukraine had only made the global food situation more precarious because of the weaponisation of food distribution.

This, he said, has led to more hunger, especially in places like Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa which is facing famine. 

He expressed sadness for those "who go hungry while huge amounts of food daily go to waste and resources are being spent on weapons".

"The war in Ukraine has further aggravated this situation, putting entire peoples at risk of famine, especially in Afghanistan and in the countries of the Horn of Africa," he said.

"We know that every war causes hunger and exploits food as a weapon, hindering its distribution to people already suffering."

He added, "On this day, let us learn from the Prince of Peace and, starting with those who hold political responsibilities, commit ourselves to making food solely an instrument of peace."

The Pope also spoke of "a grave famine of peace also in other regions and other theatres of this Third World War", especially Syria and the Middle East. 

He called for renewed dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians amid increasing tensions in the Holy Land. 

"May the Child Jesus sustain the Christian communities living in the Middle East, so that each of those countries can experience the beauty of fraternal coexistence between individuals of different faiths," he said. 

News
Illinois community coming together to purchase Pope's old home
Illinois community coming together to purchase Pope's old home

Debt-hit town in Illinois is looking to buy the Pope's childhood home.

Fear, denial and control: Why the Cuban government prohibits the most natural responses to the country’s dire humanitarian needs
Fear, denial and control: Why the Cuban government prohibits the most natural responses to the country’s dire humanitarian needs

It may be hard to fathom how such pettiness plays into the government’s wider crackdown on FoRB and other fundamental human rights, or how on earth it could justify extending its repression to children, but ultimately it all comes down to fear.

On striving for destiny
On striving for destiny

Hebrew scholar and Jewish academic Irene Lancaster reflects on Numbers, leadership and destiny.