VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Saturday called for dialogue to combat division, whether within families or in the context of international relations.
In his traditional message “Urbi et Orbi” (the city and the world), he estimated that the tendency to withdraw into oneself had worsened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our ability to maintain social relationships is being put to the test; there is a growing tendency (…) to withdraw into oneself, to stop making efforts to help others,” he said from the central balcony. of St. Peter’s Basilica, battered by rain and wind.
“At the international level, there is also a risk of refusal of dialogue, that this complex crisis does not lead to hasty decisions rather than to embark on the longer path of dialogue. Yet, only these paths can lead to the resolution. conflicts and lasting benefits for all, ”he said.
Francois, who turned 85 last week, listed the main current conflicts, including Syria, Ymen, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Afghanistan, Burma, Ukraine, Sudan and the South. Sudan.
“We continue to witness a great number of conflicts, crises and disagreements,” he said, speaking from the very balcony where he first appeared to the world as pope after his election
on March 13, 2013.
“These never seem to end; now we barely notice them. We are so used to them that immense tragedies are now overlooked. We risk not hearing the cry of pain and distress from so many of our people. brothers and sisters “, he declared in front of a small crowd, because of the sanitary measures imposed within the framework of the pandemic.
Pope Francis asked God to “prevent a new explosion of a long-lasting conflict” in Ukraine, which fears an offensive by Russia, which has massed tens of thousands of soldiers on its borders.
He called on the population not to be indifferent to the plight of migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, political prisoners and women victims of violence and urged world leaders to protect the environment
for future generations.
In his mass on Christmas Eve, Friday evening, in St. Peter’s Basilica, Franois had assured in particular that people indifferent to the poor offended God.
(Philip Pullella report, French version Jean-Michel Blot)
by Philip Pullella