A new appeal for peace comes from the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing imparted this morning by Pope Francis. From the window of the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff addressed the traditional Christmas message to the faithful present and to those who listen to him through radio, television and other means of communication.
«In Scripture, the Prince of Peace is opposed by "the prince of this world" who, by sowing death, acts against the Lord, "the lover of life". We see him in action in Bethlehem when, after the birth of the Savior, the massacre of the innocents takes place. How many massacres of innocents in the world: in the mother's womb, in the routes of the desperate in search of hope, in the lives of many children whose childhood is devastated by war. They are the little Jesuses of today, these children whose childhood is devastated by war, by wars", said the pontiff, who continued: "Saying 'yes' to the prince of peace means saying 'no' to war, to every war , to the very logic of war, journey without destination, defeat without winners, madness without excuses. But to say "no" to war you have to say "no" to weapons. Because, if the man, whose heart is unstable and wounded, finds instruments of death in his hands, sooner or later he will use them. And how can we talk about peace if the production, sale and trade of weapons increases?".
And, again, «the day of peace is approaching in Israel and Palestine, where war shakes the lives of those populations. I embrace them all, in particular the Christian communities of Gaza, the parish of Gaza, and of the entire Holy Land." «I carry in my heart the pain for the victims of the execrable attack of 7 October and I renew a pressing appeal for the release of those still held hostage - he added -. I implore that the military operations, with their frightening aftermath of innocent civilian victims, cease and that the desperate humanitarian situation be remedied by opening up the arrival of aid."
(Unioneonline/ss)