In his Mass, the Pope did not mention Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but seemed to refer to it in many places.
Inka Haukka,
Tiina Forsberg
Pope Francis has held the traditional Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. In his Mass, the Pope condemned people’s endless thirst for riches and power.
The Pope also reminded that the victims of greed are the weak and vulnerable, and stated that his thoughts are above all the children who are victims of wars, poverty and injustice.
– And as usual, the weak and vulnerable are the main victims of this greed. Also this Christmas, as was the case with Jesus, in a world hungry for money, power and pleasure, there is no place for small, so many unborn, poor and forgotten children. I think above all of the children tormented by war, poverty and injustice, Pope Francis said.
The Pope did not mention Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine at the mass, but seemed to refer to it in many places.
About 7,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Church in the Vatican. Around 4,000 people heard the mass in Pietarinaukio.
On Christmas Day, Sunday, the Pope gives his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing to the city and the whole world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Church. Tens of thousands of people arrive to watch it.
Sources: Reuters, AP, AFP