Pope wishes Christmas hope and peace for Mideast

[webfact]

Pope wishes Christmas hope and peace for Mideast
FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A somber Pope Francis steeped his Christmas message to the world Thursday in sadness for those with little cause for joy — abused children, refugees, hostages and others suffering from violence in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere.

Anguish for children who suffer maltreatment or violence, including in the recent terrorist attack on a Pakistani military school, tempered the pontiff's traditional Christmas Day speech, which he delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. A crowd, estimated by the Vatican to number more than 80,000 Romans, tourists and pilgrims, filled St. Peter's Square for the "Urbi et Orbi" message (Latin for "to the city and to the world").

"Truly there are so many tears this Christmas," said Francis, looking solemn and smiling little, in contrast to his often jocular demeanor when addressing crowds.

He lamented that many children are "made objects of trade and trafficking" or forced to become soldiers, as well as those never born because of abortion.

"I think also of those infants massacred in bomb attacks, also those where the Son of God was born," said Francis, referring to the Middle East.

Francis decried the persecution of ancient Christian communities in Iraq and Syria, along with those from other ethnic and religious groups.

"May Christmas bring them hope," he said.

Referring to refugees and exiles, he prayed: "May indifference be changed into closeness, and rejection into hospitality." He expressed hope they'd receive humanitarian help to withstand the "rigors of winter, return to their countries and live with dignity."

The pope also thanked those courageously helping people infected with Ebola in Africa.

In his litany of the world's troubled places, he denounced hostage-taking in Nigeria, and hoped that reconciliation would prevail over "hatred and violence" in Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels have been fighting against government forces in the east of that country.

While much of his message concerned poor countries, Francis had harsh words for some in affluent nations. He prayed for an end to the hardened hearts "of so many men and women immersed in worldliness and indifference, the globalization of indifference."

Christmas joy will only be realized when weapons are transformed "into ploughshares, destruction into creativity, hatred into love and tenderness," Francis concluded before giving the crowd his blessing.

About an hour after the pope went inside, a protester from the Femen activist group bared her chest and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus in the life-sized Nativity scene at the center of the square, while thousands of visitors were strolling across the space. A gendarme from the Vatican's security forces hustled away the woman, after she was covered with a coat.


-- (c) Associated Press 2014-12-26

[slipperylobster]

Had to thank my mom for being Catholic, as I was the last one born. Dad certainly did not welcome the new prospect, but it got better. Given a choice, I could have been viewing life from the inside of a jar at some hospital.

First experience of abortion was at the age of 15. My older girlfriend was pregnant. My mom was actually excited, but my dad came close to skinning me alive. The girl decided on abortion, against my wishes, and my mom's plan to care for the baby. I was actually deeply in love with her, and finished high school early, at the age of 16 to work. Joined the military the day I turned 17...as options were limited. The girl eventually called me back to meet her "New" Baby. She was drunk, and (unknown to me) latter married (He was the reason for the abortion). I took my liberties. Looking at his baby made me wonder a lot. Why not mine? or Perhaps I had gone through hell because she was not sure the first one was mine at all....although I took the brunt of the blame. She was 18.

Thanks mom. Just received a video of her...90 years old....and trying to get here to Thailand. Hope she can make it.

Edited December 26, 2014 by slipperylobster

[SABloke]

Had to thank my mom for being Catholic, as I was the last one born. Dad certainly did not welcome the new prospect, but it got better. Given a choice, I could have been viewing life from the inside of a jar at some hospital.

First experience of abortion was at the age of 15. My older girlfriend was pregnant. My mom was actually excited, but my dad came close to skinning me alive. The girl decided on abortion, against my wishes, and my mom's plan to care for the baby. I was actually deeply in love with her, and finished high school early, at the age of 16 to work. Joined the military the day I turned 17...as options were limited. The girl eventually called me back to meet her "New" Baby. She was drunk, and (unknown to me) latter married (He was the reason for the abortion). I took my liberties. Looking at his baby made me wonder a lot. Why not mine? or Perhaps I had gone through hell because she was not sure the first one was mine at all....although I took the brunt of the blame. She was 18.

Thanks mom. Just received a video of her...90 years old....and trying to get here to Thailand. Hope she can make it.

:huh:

[Lissos]

I feel that this video below describe how I feel about the Vatican and the role of Pope.

[Seastallion]

"I think also of those infants massacred in bomb attacks, also those where the Son of God was born," said Francis, referring to the Middle East."

No, referring quite clearly to Israel.

[Scott]

If you wish to derail this topic you will get a suspension. Don't put words in the Pope's mouth. There were no infants killed in any bombings anywhere else in the ME? None in any of the many bombings of Iraq? None in Syria?