VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis marked the New Year Sunday by calling on the faithful “to say ‘no’ – with actions - to hatred and violence and ‘yes’ to brotherhood and reconciliation,” saying non-violence should be a “style for a policy of peace.”

 Speaking to 50,000 pilgrims, tourists and Romans gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Pontiff’s Angelus address, Francis condemned the New Year’s Eve terrorist attack in Istanbul that killed at least 39 people. “Unfortunately violence has struck even in this night of wishes and hope, with a grave  attack in Istanbul. I am close with prayer to the dead and their family members, to the wounded and to the entire Turkish people.”

 “Dear brothers and sisters, Happy New Year,” the pope began his address by saying. “The new year will be good to the extent that each of us, with the help of God, will try to do good day by day. This is how one builds peace, saying ‘no’ – with actions – to hatred and violence and ‘yes’ to brotherhood and to reconciliation.”