Pope Francis Calls For Dialogue To Heal A Divided World In Christmas Message

JAKARTA - Pope Francis in his Christmas message on Saturday denounced the increasing polarization in personal and international relations, and said that only dialogue can resolve conflicts, ranging from family problems to the threat of war.

In his "Urbi et Orbi" message, he called for people and world leaders to talk to each other instead of being stubborn, with distance made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our capacity for social relations is severely tested; there is a tendency to withdraw, to do things on our own, to stop trying to meet other people and do things together," he said from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on a rainy Christmas day. and the wind in Rome quoted from Antara, Saturday.

"At the international level there is also the risk of avoidance of dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to shortcuts instead of initiating longer dialogue paths, even though these are the only paths that can lead to conflict resolution and long-lasting benefits for all," he said.

Pope Francis, who turned 85 last week, mentioned various conflicts and tensions or crises including those in Syria, Yemen, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan and various other places.

"We continue to see a great deal of conflict, crisis and dissension," he said while speaking on the same balcony as when he first appeared before the world as Pope after being elected on March 13, 2013.

"These things seem never-ending; now we hardly even notice them. We have become so used to these things that great tragedies are now passed in silence; we run the risk of not hearing the screams of pain and sorrow from so many our brothers and sisters." he said, speaking to a crowd of several hundred people, which was smaller than usual, as it had been reduced due to COVID-19 and weather restrictions.

He also asked God to "give peace and unity to families", praising those who try to keep families and communities together at such a time of separation.

"Let us ask for the strength to open dialogue. On this holiday, let us ask him to awaken the longing for reconciliation and brotherhood in the hearts of all people," he said.

He used the word "dialogue" 11 times in the roughly two-page message, in which he spoke to people sheltering under umbrellas and raincoats.

Pope Francis asked God to "prevent the outbreak of a new, protracted conflict" in Ukraine, which has accused Russia of amassing tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a potential large-scale military offensive.

Russia denies planning any attacks and accuses Ukraine and the United States of destabilizing behavior, saying it needs security guarantees for its own protection.

He called on the public not to let the fate of migrants, refugees, political prisoners and women victims of violence and urged leaders to protect the environment for future generations.

During Christmas Eve Mass on Friday evening in St Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis said that people who are indifferent to the plight of the poor have insulted God, and urged all to "look beyond all the glittering lights and decorations" and remember what they most need.