Pope laments 'senseless war,' 'economic crisis' in Christmas address

Pope Francis on Sunday lamented the "senseless war" in Ukraine along with conflicts across the world while acknowledging economic hardship. 

The pope delivered his traditional Christmas address at noon to 70,000 tourists packed into St. Peter's Square, Rome, on a mild winter day as temperatures reached nearly 60 degrees Fahrenheit, The Associated Press reported.

"Indeed, we must acknowledge with sorrow that, even as the Prince of Peace is given to us, the icy winds of war continue to buffet humanity," Francis said, according to a translation from the Vatican.

He said the world is suffering from a "famine of peace" and called for God to "enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war" in Ukraine 10 months after Russia's invasion.

Francis also called for peace in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Iran, Myanmar and Haiti, as well as for political and social tensions to be calmed in the Americas. 

"To be able to walk behind Jesus, we must divest ourselves of the burdens that weigh us down and block our way," Francis said, before stating that the burdens are "attachment to power and money, pride, hypocrisy, falsehood."

While World Bank data shows 88% of countries are experiencing inflation above 5%, Francis said: "And as we enjoy gathering with our loved ones, let us think of families that experience great hardship and those that, in this time of economic crisis, are struggling as a result of unemployment and lacking in the necessities of life."