Pope Francis, in his Christmas message, called for people everywhere to find courage and work towards peace this Holy Year. He wants everyone to put down their weapons and come together, especially in places suffering from violence, like Ukraine and the Middle East.
In his speech, known as “Urbi et Orbi” (meaning “To the City and the World”), he highlighted serious issues like war, hunger, and crisis in different nations. He mentioned the suffering of people and communities affected by conflict, like the Christian communities in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. The Pope also asked for the release of hostages taken during the violence in Israel by Hamas.
Pope Francis talked about the urgent need to care for children who are hungry, the elderly who are alone, and those fleeing from their homes. He opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the start of the 2025 Holy Year, which symbolizes hope and God’s mercy. Many pilgrims visited the basilica on Christmas Day, feeling emotional and relieved as they passed through the door.
This Christmas was also special because it fell on the same day as Hanukkah, a Jewish festival. This rare occurrence brought together Jewish and Latino communities in Houston for celebrations that included traditional foods. However, the joy of the holiday was shadowed by worries about violence and rising antisemitism.
In Iraq, Christians celebrated Christmas at their local church, yet many feel uncertain about their safety and future. Their numbers have decreased greatly due to past violence and conflicts.
In Germany, the Christmas spirit was affected by a tragic attack at a market that resulted in several deaths, including a young boy. The German President expressed deep sadness and called for unity in the face of hate.
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