Gifts are a big part of Christmas, but on this holiday Pope Francis wants people to remember “materialism” is not the real reason to celebrate. The Associated Press writes:
Addressing some 50,000 tourists, pilgrims and Romans who flocked to St. Peter’s Square on a mild, sunny day, Francis said the universal message of Christmas is that “God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters.”
“This truth is the basis of the Christian vision of humanity,” Francis said in the traditional papal “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) message. Without fraternity, he said, “even our best plans and projects risk being soulless and empty.” He called for that spirit among individuals of “every nation and culture” as well as among people “with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another.”
The Pope recognized the current situation in Syria as well. BBC reports:
He also said he hoped the international community would “work decisively for a political solution” in Syria – a country that is approaching its eighth year of civil war.
“So that the Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave their own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in their own country,” he added.
He touched on other conflicts in the Middle East as well:
“May this Christmas help us to rediscover the bonds of fraternity linking us together as individuals and joining all peoples. May it enable Israelis and Palestinians to resume dialogue and undertake a journey of peace that can put an end to a conflict that for over seventy years has rent the land chosen by the Lord to show his face of love.”
Watch more of his message above.