In an emotional Christmas message from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis made an urgent call for the cessation of military operations in Gaza, the release of hostages, and addressing the Palestinian issue. In his 'Urbi et Orbi' address, the leader of the Catholic Church expressed his concern for conflicts affecting the world, urging for peace and reconciliation. (video)

"I embrace both, especially the Christian communities of Gaza, the parish of Gaza, and all of the Holy Land," said Pope Francis, emphasizing his solidarity with populations affected by the war in Israel and Palestine. Furthermore, the pontiff recalled the "pain for the victims of the abominable attack on October 7th" and renewed his appeal for the release of hostages.

"I plead for the cessation of military operations, with their dramatic consequences for innocent civilian victims, and for remedying the desperate humanitarian situation by allowing the arrival of aid," emphasized the Pope, urging an immediate halt to violence and the pursuit of a peaceful solution.

In a gesture of significant importance, Pope Francis also urged to "stop fueling violence and hatred" and advocated for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue through "sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, supported by a strong political will and the backing of the international community."

The Pope's plea gains special significance after the wife of the Israeli Prime Minister, Sara Netanyahu, sent an open letter requesting the personal intervention of the pontiff for the release of 129 hostages still held by armed groups, considering that his influence could be decisive.

This call for peace extended beyond the Middle East, as Pope Francis also called for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, and the cessation of tensions in various regions, including the Korean Peninsula and several African countries.

Additionally, the religious leader criticized the increase in the production and trade of weapons, calling for a "no to war" stance and highlighting the contradiction between advocating for peace and contributing to the growth of the arms industry. His message appealed to global conscience to seek paths of reconciliation and the construction of a fairer and more peaceful world.

Pope Francis stated that children dying in wars, including in Gaza, are the "little Jesuses of today" and condemned the attacks.

During his "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas Day address, Pope Francis also deemed the October 7th attack by Hamas militants in Israel as "abominable" and reiterated his call for the release of around 100 hostages still held in Gaza.

From the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, addressing thousands of people in the square, the Pope once again criticized the arms industry, asserting that it ultimately controls the "puppet strings of war." His message reiterated concern for violence in the region and its devastating impact on civilian populations, especially children, whom he described as the "little Jesuses of today."