Pope Francis has, in his Christmas message, reminded people that amid the problems that they are facing currently, hope prevails. That is part of a Christmas message by the Pontiff, as published by the Vatican’s official website today. “Dear brothers and sisters, amid all the many problems of our time, hope prevails, “for to us a child is born” reads the message. “He is the word of God, who became an infant, capable only of crying, and in need of help for everything. He wished to learn how to speak, like every other child, so that we might learn to listen to God, our Father, to listen to one another and to dialogue as brothers and sisters,” it went on. Among the highlights of the message, the Pope pointed to a number of issues that are affecting the world, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to political instabilities as well as troubling economic and social conditions. “In this time of pandemic, we have come to realize this more and more. Our capacity for social relationships is sorely tried; there is a growing tendency to withdraw, to do it all by ourselves, to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together, he noted. On the international level too, there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking shortcuts rather than setting out on the longer paths of dialogue. Yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all,” he added. He called upon people to think of their counterparts who are languishing due to wars and other challenges, for example in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Ukraine, Myanmar, Lebanon and Ethiopia. “Let us ask him (Jesus) for the strength to be open to dialogue. On this festive day, let us implore him to stir up in the hearts of everyone a yearning for reconciliation and fraternity. Let us now turn to him in prayer,” the Pope said. He prayed for African countries, where he called upon God to help Ethiopia “to find once again the path of reconciliation and peace through a forthright encounter that places the needs of the people above all else.” “Listen to the plea of those living in the Sahel region, who experience the violence of international terrorism. Turn your gaze to the peoples of the countries of North Africa, tormented by divisions, unemployment and economic inequality. Alleviate the pain of our many brothers and sisters who suffer from internal conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan,” he said. He also prayed that God will inspire all men and women of good-will to seek the best ways possible to overcome the current health crisis and its effects. “Open hearts to ensure that necessary medical care – and vaccines in particular – are provided to those peoples who need them most. Repay those who generously devote themselves to caring for family members, the sick and the most vulnerable in our midst,” he noted. “O Christ, born for our sake, teach us to walk beside you on the paths of peace.”
