Lion
“Let us pray in a special way for the restless Ukrainian people so that the noise of weapons stops and the parties involved, with the support of the international community, find the courage to enter into a dialogue sincerely, directly and respectfully.”he said in his Christmas blessing “urbi et orbi” to the city and the world.
Ukraine, under attack by Russia since February 2022, is awaiting Moscow’s response to the updated US plan to end the conflict. The last direct talks took place six months ago and did not lead to a cessation of hostilities.
According to information announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, this is Washington’s plan for Ukraine proposes to freeze the front and opens the door to the creation of demilitarized zones.
“Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations, tested by so many ongoing or ended wars, leaving behind rubble and open wounds.”Leo XIV explained shortly before in his sermon during mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
In his homily, the pope highlighted the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza after a grueling two-year war between Hamas and Israel that claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced the population to relocate several times.
In this sense, he recalled the “tents in Gaza exposed to rain, wind and cold for weeks” and the hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip who are experiencing the winter in extreme conditions.
The American and Peruvian popes also had words for Latin America and its leaders, as well as for the migrants who “cross the American continent” in search of a better future.
“May the Child Jesus inspire those who bear political responsibility in Latin America so that, in the face of the numerous challenges, there is room for dialogue for the common good and not for ideological and partisan exclusion.”he explained after the mass.
The only country in the region that he specifically mentioned was Haiti, for which he called for “an end to all forms of violence and to move forward on the path of peace and reconciliation.”
Leo
In Gaza, the small Catholic community attended midnight mass on Wednesday evening in the only temple of this denomination in the Palestinian enclave.
“War in all its forms has been very hard on all of us who live on this earth. We hope that this year marks that Beginning of a new phasein which the war ends completely and life returns to Gaza,” he said AFP Elias Al Jalda, a Christian from Gaza.
“Our celebrations are very limited. We try to live as best we can with what we have and we hope that next year will bring more peace and love,” added Rami al Far, another believer who attended the mass.
The war in Gaza, which followed the Islamist movement Hamas’ offensive in Israel on October 7, 2023, forced the cancellation of celebrations in Bethlehem, the Palestinian city where the Bible says Jesus was born, for the past two years.
However, with the ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank city regained its festive spirit. Hundreds of believers gathered for midnight mass in the Church of the Nativity, flanked by an impressive decorated tree.
On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which was devastated by floods four weeks ago that left more than a thousand dead and at least 170 missing, the Angkola Protestant Church also sheltered its faithful, many of whom are still living in makeshift shelters.
Krismanto Nainggolan, who lost his house in the floods in South Tapanuli district, said Christmas Mass was “different” and bittersweet this year.
“The Feelings are contradictory. Every word the priest said made us cry. But the Christmas spirit gives us strength,” he told AFP.
Storms also threaten other parts of the world. California, Los Angeles and most of the southern part of the state are at risk of flash flooding. Authorities feared there would be several months of rain in the coming days and ordered the immediate evacuation of hundreds of homes.
And in Türkiye, authorities arrested 115 suspected members of the Islamic State jihadist group who Istanbul prosecutors said were suspected of plotting attacks during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
In another report, US President Donald Trump sent a Christmas message to his Democratic opponents in an unfriendly tone.
“Merry Christmas to all of you, including the radical leftist scum who are doing everything they can to destroy our country but failing miserably.”said the Republican on his network Truth Social.
(with information from AP)
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