VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) address called for the Palestinian question to be resolved and the release by Hamas terrorists of Israeli hostages seized during the “abominable attack” on the Jewish state of Oct.7

 “Isaiah, who prophesied the Prince of Peace, looked forward to a day when ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation,’ a day when men ‘will not learn war any more,’ but instead ‘beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.’  With God’s help, let us make every effort to work for the coming of that day!,” the pontiff told pilgrims and tourists gathered in St Peter’s Square.  

 “May it come in Israel and Palestine, where war is devastating the lives of those peoples.  I embrace them all, particularly the Christian communities of Gaza and the entire Holy Land,” Francis said. 

 “My heart grieves for the victims of the abominable attack of 7 October last, and I reiterate my urgent appeal for the liberation of those still being held hostage.”

  “I plead for an end to the military operations with their appalling harvest of  innocent civilian victims, and call for a solution  to the desperate humanitarian situation by an opening to the provision of humanitarian aid.”

  “May there be an end to the fueling of violence and hatred.  And may the Palestinian question come to be resolved through sincere  and  persevering  dialogue  between  the  parties,  sustained  by  strong  political  will  and  the support of the international community,” the pope said.

  “My thoughts turn likewise to the people of war-torn Syria, and to those of long-suffering Yemen.  I think too of the beloved Lebanese people, and I pray that political and social stability will soon be attained.   Contemplating the Baby Jesus, I implore peace for Ukraine,” the pontiff continued.

  “Let us renew our spiritual and human closeness to its embattled people, so that through the support of each of us, they may feel the concrete reality of God’s love.”

   “May the day of definitive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan draw near.  May it be advanced by the pursuit of humanitarian initiatives, by the return of refugees to their homes in legality and security, and by reciprocal respect for religious traditions and the places of worship of each community.” 

 “Let us not forget the tensions and conflicts that trouble the region of the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and Sudan, as well as Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.” 

 “May the day draw near when fraternal bonds will be consolidated on the Korean peninsula by undertaking processes of dialogue and reconciliation capable of creating the conditions for lasting peace,” Francis said.