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Pope Francis wants to ‘negotiate’ to heal a divided world | Religious Affairs

The head of the Catholic Church has condemned the spread of polarization, praying for those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic in speaking at Christmas.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church worldwide, has used his Christmas message to denounce the escalation of civil and international tensions, saying that dialogue alone can resolve conflicts ranging from family tensions to the threat of war.

In his speech “Urbi et Orbi” (city and country) delivered on Saturday, Christmas Day, the leader of the Catholic Church appealed to individuals and national leaders to communicate with one another instead of looking at the heels. is said to be on the rise in the coronavirus.

“Our ability to interact with people is greatly tested; there is a tendency to isolate ourselves, to isolate ourselves, to give up trying to meet others and to do things together, ”said Francis on the porch of St Peter’s Basilica in the rainy and windy city of Rome.

“All over the world, there is a risk of avoidance of dialogue, a risk that the crisis will lead to short-term solutions rather than just a long-term approach.

Francis, who turned 85 last week, has documented conflicts, disputes or difficulties in Syria, Yemen, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan and elsewhere.

“We continue to witness many disputes, difficulties and disagreements,” he said, speaking from the same balcony as he appeared for the first time around the world as pope in March 2013.

This does not seem to be going away, yet we do not see it at all. We are so used to it that great tragedies pass quietly; we are at risk of not hearing the cries of pain and stress of many of our brothers and sisters, “he said, addressing a small group that has been reduced by COVID-19 restrictions and climate change to just a few thousand.

The Pope’s speech on Christmas Day gives him the opportunity to draw the attention of his audience around the world to the great and the small. [Yara Nardi/Reuters]

Refugees, the environment is COVID-19

Francis used the word “conversation” 11 times in a two-page conversation when talking to people crowded under parks and umbrellas.

He urged the people not to be complacent about the plight of refugees, internally displaced persons, refugees, political prisoners and abused women, and urged leaders to protect the environment for future generations.

At his Christmas Eve Mass on Friday night at St Peter’s Basilica, Francis said people who are not interested in the poor are offending God, and he encouraged all to “look beyond all light and decoration” and remember the needy.

Francis also prayed especially for those most affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, including women and children who have been severely abused during the closure.

He prayed for “comfort and love” for the elderly and the infirm, as well as for the health-care workers who “devote themselves” to caring for the sick.

“Give health care to patients and encourage all men and women who are looking for the best to find the best solutions to the problem and its consequences,” said Francis.

For the second day in a row, Italy on Friday launched a daily strike with 50,599 new cases. Another 141 people have died, bringing the total number of deaths from coronavirus in Italy to 136,386.

Worldwide, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 5 million people since the outbreak began in late 2019.

In the wake of the growing number of COVID cases in Italy this week, just a few thousand people flocked to St Peter’s Square to speak at Francis’ annual Christmas. [Yara Nardi/Reuters]




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