"In this time of pandemic ...  our capacity for social relationships is sorely tried," Francis said in his message delivered virtually from the Hall of Blessings inside the Vatican to avoid people gathering together too much outside in rainy St Peter's Square. "There is  a growing tendency to withdraw, to do it all by ourselves, to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together.  On the international level too, there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking shortcuts rather than setting out on the longer paths of dialogue.  Yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all."

 "Indeed, even as the message of the birth of the Saviour, the source of true peace, resounds in our hearts and in the whole world, we continue to witness a great number of conflicts, crises and disagreements.  These never seem to end; by now we hardly even notice them.  We have become so used to them that immense tragedies are now being passed over in silence; we risk not hearing the cry of pain and distress of so many of our brothers and sisters," the pope said.

"Let us think of the people of Syria, who for more than a decade have experienced a war that has  resulted  in  many  victims  and  an  untold  number  of  displaced  persons.  Let  us  look  to  Iraq, which still struggles to recover from a lengthy conflict.  Let us listen to the cry of children arising from Yemen, where an enormous tragedy, overlooked by everyone, has silently gone on for years, causing deaths every day."

 "Let  us  recall,  too,  the  continuing  tensions  between  Israelis  and  Palestinians  that  drag  on without  a  resolution,  with  ever  more  serious  social  and  political  consequences.  Nor  should  we forget Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth, which is experiencing hardship also from the economic repercussions  of  the  pandemic,  preventing  pilgrims  from  visiting  the  Holy  Land  and  adversely affecting the life of the people. "

 "Let us think of Lebanon, which is undergoing an unprecedented crisis, accompanied by very troubling economic and social conditions. Yet, in the heart of the night, look!  The sign of hope!  Today, “the Love that moves the sun and the other stars” (Paradiso, XXXIII, 145), as Dante says, became flesh.  He came in human form, he shared in our plight and he broke down the wall of our indifference.  In the cold of the night, he stretches out his tiny arms towards us: he is in need of everything, yet he comes to give us everything.  Let  us  ask  him  for  the strength  to  be  open  to  dialogue.  On  this festive  day, let us implore him to stir up in the hearts of everyone a yearning for reconciliation and fraternity.  Let us now turn to him in prayer."

 "Baby Jesus, grant peace and concord to the Middle East and the whole world.  Sustain all those who  provide humanitarian aid  to peoples forced  to  flee  from their homelands;  comfort  the Afghan people, who for more than 40 years have been sorely tested by conflicts that have driven many to leave the country."

 "King of all peoples, help political authorities bring peace to societies roiled by tension and conflict.  Sustain the people of Myanmar, where intolerance and violence not infrequently target the  Christian  community  and  its  places  of  worship,  clouding  the  peaceful  countenance  of  that people. Be a source of light and support for all those who believe in and strive, despite all obstacles, to advance encounter and dialogue."

  "In Ukraine, prevent fresh outbreaks of a long-festering conflict. Prince  of  Peace,  help  Ethiopia  to  find  once  again  the  path  of  reconciliation  and  peace through a forthright encounter that places the needs of the people above all else."

  "Listen to the plea of those living in the Sahel region, who experience the violence of international terrorism.  Turn your gaze to the peoples of the countries of North Africa, tormented by divisions, unemployment and  economic  inequality.  Alleviate  the  pain  of  our  many  brothers  and  sisters  who  suffer  from internal conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan."

 "Grant that, through dialogue, mutual respect and recognition of the rights and cultural values of every human being, the values of solidarity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence may prevail in the hearts of the peoples of the Americas. Son  of  God,  comfort  the  victims  of  violence  against  women,  which  has  increased in  this time of pandemic.  Offer hope to young children and adolescents suffering from bullying and abuse.  Show consolation and warmth to the elderly, especially those who feel most alone."

  "Give serenity and unity to families, the first educators of their children and the basis of the fabric of society. God-with-us, grant health to the infirm and inspire all men and women of good will to seek the best ways possible to overcome the current health crisis and its effects.  Open hearts to ensure that necessary medical care – and vaccines in particular – are provided to those peoples who need them most."

  "Repay those who generously devote themselves to caring for family members, the sick and the most vulnerable in our midst.   Child of Bethlehem, grant that the many military and civilian prisoners of war and recent conflicts, and all those imprisoned for political reasons, may soon return home.  Do not leave us indifferent before the tragic situation of migrants, displaced persons and refugees.  Their eyes beg us not to look the other way, ignoring our common humanity, but instead to make their stories our own and to be mindful of their plight."

 

 However the pontiff concluded his message on an optimistic note.

 "Dear brothers and sisters,  amid all the many problems of our time, hope prevails, 'for to us a child is born'ì (Is 9:6).  He  is  the  word  of  God,  who  became  an  infant,  capable  only  of  crying,  and  in  need  of  help  for everything.  He  wished  to  learn  how  to  speak,  like  every  other  child,  so  that  we  might  learn  to listen to God, our Father, to listen to one another and to dialogue as brothers and sisters. O Christ, born for our sake, teach us to walk beside you on the paths of peace.

 Happy Christmas to all!"

 

jp