Pope urges crackdown on Isis

Pope Francis during Christmas Eve Midnight Mass

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi  (to the City and the World) address in St Peter’s Square Friday made a strong call to the international community to crack down “unanimously” on the Islamist militia Isis and end "atrocities" in the Middle East and Africa.

 The pontiff did not name the Islamic State by name but said such atrocities "cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples," and asked that Jesus grant "consolation and strength" to "brothers and sisters who in many parts of the world are being persecuted for their faith ... they are today’s martyrs."

  In a wide ranging appreciation of the world's problems delivered under sunny skies to a throng of Christmas pilgrims and tourists, Francis also underlined the plight of migrants, saying "may God repay all those, both individuals and states, who generously work to provide assistance and welcome to the numerous migrants and refugees, helping them to build a dignified future for themselves and their dear ones."

 The Argentine pope said the birth of God allows hope and persons regaining their dignity "yet even today great numbers of men and women are deprived of their human dignity and, like the child Jesus, suffer cold, poverty and rejection.”

 “May our closeness today be felt by those who are most vulnerable, especially child soldiers, women who suffer violence, and the victims of human trafficking and the drug trade."

 “Where peace is born there is no longer room for hatred and for war,” Francis said, yet “tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built”.

 “May Israelis and Palestinians resume direct dialogue and reach an agreement which will enable the two peoples to live together in harmony, ending a conflict which has long set them at odds with grave repercussions for the entire region.”

 Also on the Middle East Francis said “we pray to the Lord that the agreement reached in the United Nations may succeed in halting as quickly as possible the clash of arms in Syria and in remedzing the extremely grave humanitarian situation of its suffering people. It is likewise urgent that the agreement on Libya be supported by all …”

 “May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples,” the pope said.

 Francis also asked that Christmas bring peace to Ukraine, and that “on this festal day the lord grant renewed hope to all those who lack employment.”

 Francis said “Mercy is the most precious gift which God gives us, especially during this Jubilee year in which we are called to discover that tender love of our heavenly Father for each of us.”