Pope Francis, in his first annual Christmas message and blessing “to the city and to the world,” began his remarks with a quote from scripture: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” That’s a quote from the angel who appeared to shepherds watching their flocks in the field one night thousands of years ago. I sensed a general prayer in the pope’s message, wondering if we can hear the same two-part message today.
He then spent a little time on the first part of glorifying God and then a great deal more time on the second part about peace on earth.
His comments about peace focused mainly on wars and violent conflicts around the globe—Syria, South Sudan, Israel and Palestine, the Republic of the Congo—but also on the people whose lives are “shattered” by war and violence, including children, who he said “are the most vulnerable victims of wars,” the elderly, battered women, and the sick. He called attention to children who are often drafted as soldiers during conflicts and to those who are trafficked as victims of violence.
Let us (Catholics) continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering, and to enable the parties in conflict to put an end to all violence and guarantee access to humanitarian aid. We have seen how powerful prayer is! And I am happy today too, that the followers of different religious confessions are joining us in our prayer for peace in Syria.
He also addressed, indirectly, the understanding of the 1.2 billion-member church about poverty and its root cause, as well as natural disasters that have befallen many people around the world this year, in asking God to “look upon our planet, frequently exploited by human greed and rapacity. Help and protect all the victims of natural disasters, especially the beloved people of the Philippines, gravely affected by the recent typhoon.”
After he called on all people to make a daily commitment to peace, he then noted that many people were hearing his message through communications technology in addition to radio and television, possibly a reference to the Web or the pope’s Twitter handle. “To you, dear brothers and sisters, gathered from throughout the world in this square, and to all those from different countries who join us through the communications media, I offer my cordial best wishes for a merry Christmas!”
