(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY, DECEMBER 25 - The Pope, in his 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing, addressed his first thoughts to Ukraine: "May our gaze be filled with the faces of Ukrainian brothers and sisters, who live this Christmas in the dark, in the cold or far from their homes, due to the destruction caused by ten months of war. May the Lord make us ready for concrete gestures of solidarity to help those who are suffering, and enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war!Unfortunately, we prefer to listen to other reasons, dictated by the logic of the world.But who listens to the voice of the Child?".
But there is not only war in Ukraine because "our time is experiencing a serious lack of peace in other regions as well,
A particular look at Iran for which the Pope calls for "reconciliation" and an end to "any bloodshed".
Francis then hopes for the resumption of "dialogue" and "mutual trust" between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Pontiff also mentioned Syria, "still tormented by a conflict that has faded into the background but is not over".
Then Lebanon "so that it can finally recover, with the support of the international community".
Concern was also expressed for the Sahel, Yemen and for "the political and social tensions" in the American continent, "I am thinking in particular of the Haitian population who have been suffering for a long time".
(HANDLE).