"We cannot, we must not turn away from the other side in the face of injustice, inequality, the scandal of world hunger, poverty, children who die because they have no water, food or the necessary care". It is one of the passages of the video message that Pope Francis recorded with the UN secretary, Antonio Guterres, at the end of the Vatican Audience.
The same commitment must be put "in the face of any kind of abuse against children". "We must all fight this scourge together," he stressed.
In the long speech, of about 8 minutes, the Pope also dwells on the issue of migrants, asking them not to close their eyes to "our brothers" who are forced to leave their countries.
THE VIDEO MESSAGE
Bergoglio also invites you to take "care of our land". "Let's do something - he said in the speech reported by Vatican News - before it's too late". "We listen to the voice of many young people who help us to become aware of what is happening today in the world - he underlines - and ask us to be sowers of peace and builders, together and not alone, of a more humane and just civilization. Christmas, in its genuine simplicity, reminds us that what really matters in life is love ".
"We need to do more to promote mutual understanding and face growing hatred". Thinking about Christmas, Guterres said he was saddened to see Christian communities, some of the oldest in the world, that cannot celebrate it safely. His thought - as reported by Vatican News - went to the Jews killed in the synagogues, to the Muslims in the mosques, to the Christians during the prayers, and to their places of worship hit.