Pope Francis on Christmas calls for end of world's conflicts and silencing of weapons

Pope Francis delivered his annual Christmas message, "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world), from the Vatican on Wednesday. He called for peace in the world and an end to the ongoing conflicts. 

He referred specifically to the wars between Russia and Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war. He also called for an end to other conflicts, whether political, social or military, in places including Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua, according to Fox News. 

Pope Francis, 88, is celebrating his 12th Christmas as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to thousands of people in the square below.

Regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, he called for "the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation" and said "May the sound of weapons be silenced in Ukraine." He called for "gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace."

Regarding Israel and Hamas, he referred to the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "extremely grave" and called for "the doors of dialogue and peace (to) be flung open."

The 2025 Holy Year celebration that begins on Christmas day is expected to see about 32 million Catholics come to Rome, according to the Associated Press.