Only God can overcome
'monstrous' evil in the world, Pope says on Christmas
December 25,
2015
by Elise Harris
Vatican City, Dec 25, 2015 / 08:38 am (CNA/EWTN News).-
In his annual Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing Pope Francis prayed for all
those affected by violence, conflict and poverty throughout the world, asking
that they rejoice in salvation offered by the birth of Christ.
“Only God’s mercy can free humanity from the many forms of
evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst. The grace
of God can convert hearts and offer mankind a way out of humanly insoluble situations,”
the Pope said on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
God alone is able to save us, he said, adding that “where
God is born, hope is born. Where God is born, peace is born. And where peace is
born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war.”
Pope Francis spoke to those gathered in St. Peter’s Square
to hear his Christmas message and receive the special blessing which goes out
“to the city and the world.”
In his message, he lamented that ongoing conflicts continue
to strain peaceful living in the Holy Land, and prayed for peace there as well
as in war-torn countries such as Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, sub-Saharan Africa,
the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South Sudan, Colombia and Ukraine.
Francis also turned his thoughts to all those affected by “brutal
acts of terrorism” throughout the world, particularly the “massacres” which
have recently taken place in Egyptian airspace, in Beirut, Paris, Bamako and
Tunis.
He then offered prayers for refugees forced to flee their
homes due to violence, as well as for victims of human trafficking, for the
unemployed and for all who suffer due to poverty.
In contemplating the birth of Jesus, the Pope asked that we
open our hearts to receive the grace offered on Christmas Day, “which is Christ
himself.”
Jesus, he said, “is the radiant day which has dawned on the
horizon of humanity. A day of mercy, in which God our Father has revealed his
great tenderness to the entire world. A day of light, which dispels the
darkness of fear and anxiety.”
It is also a day of peace, “which makes for encounter,
dialogue and reconciliation. A day of joy: a great joy for the poor, the lowly
and for all the people,” Francis said.
Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ Christmas message:
Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Christmas!
Christ is born for us, let us rejoice in the day of our salvation!
Christ is born for us, let us rejoice in the day of our salvation!
Let us open our hearts to receive the grace of this day,
which is Christ himself. Jesus is the radiant “day” which has dawned on the
horizon of humanity. A day of mercy, in which God our Father has revealed his
great tenderness to the entire world. A day of light, which dispels the
darkness of fear and anxiety. A day of peace, which makes for encounter,
dialogue and reconciliation. A day of joy: a “great joy” for the poor, the
lowly and for all the people (cf. Lk 2:10).
On this day, Jesus, the Savior is born of the Virgin Mary.
The Crib makes us see the “sign” which God has given us: “a baby wrapped in
swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Lk 2:12). Like the shepherds of
Bethlehem, may we too set out to see this sign, this event which is renewed
yearly in the Church. Christmas is an event which is renewed in every family,
parish and community which receives the love of God made incarnate in Jesus
Christ. Like Mary, the Church shows to everyone the “sign” of God: the Child
whom she bore in her womb and to whom she gave birth, yet who is the Son of the
Most High, since he “is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1:20). He is truly the Savior,
for he is the Lamb of God who takes upon himself the sin of the world (cf. Jn
1:29). With the shepherds, let us bow down before the Lamb, let us worship
God’s goodness made flesh, and let us allow tears of repentance to fill our
eyes and cleanse our hearts.
He alone, he alone can save us. Only God’s mercy can free
humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which
selfishness spawns in our midst. The grace of God can convert hearts and offer
mankind a way out of humanly insoluble situations.
Where God is born, hope is born. Where God is born, peace is
born. And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war.
Yet precisely where the incarnate Son of God came into the world, tensions and
violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built. May
Israelis and Palestinians resume direct dialogue and reach an agreement which
will enable the two peoples to live together in harmony, ending a conflict
which has long set them at odds, with grave repercussions for the entire
region.
We pray to the Lord that the agreement reached in the United
Nations may succeed in halting as quickly as possible the clash of arms in
Syria and in remedying the extremely grave humanitarian situation of its
suffering people. It is likewise urgent that the agreement on Libya be
supported by all, so as to overcome the grave divisions and violence afflicting
the country. May the attention of the international community be unanimously
directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq,
Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause
immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony
of entire peoples. My thoughts also turn to those affected by brutal acts of
terrorism, particularly the recent massacres which took place in Egyptian airspace,
in Beirut, Paris, Bamako and Tunis.
To our brothers and sisters who in many parts of the world
are being persecuted for their faith, may the Child Jesus grant consolation and
strength.
We also pray for peace and concord among the peoples of the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and South Sudan, that dialogue may lead
to a strengthened common commitment to the building of civil societies animated
by a sincere spirit of reconciliation and of mutual understanding.
May Christmas also bring true peace to Ukraine, offer
comfort to those suffering from the effects of the conflict, and inspire
willingness to carry out the agreements made to restore concord in the entire
country.
May the joy of this day illumine the efforts of the
Colombian people so that, inspired by hope, they may continue their commitment
to working for the desired peace.
Where God is born, hope is born; and where hope is born,
persons regain their dignity. Yet even today great numbers of men and woman are
deprived of their human dignity and, like the child Jesus, suffer cold,
poverty, and rejection. May our closeness today be felt by those who are most
vulnerable, especially child soldiers, women who suffer violence, and the
victims of human trafficking and the drug trade.
Nor may our encouragement be lacking to all those fleeing
extreme poverty or war, travelling all too often in inhumane conditions and not
infrequently at the risk of their lives. May God repay all those, both
individuals and states, who generously work to provide assistance and welcome
to the numerous migrants and refugees, helping them to build a dignified future
for themselves and for their dear ones, and to be integrated in the societies
which receive them.
On this festal day may the Lord grant renewed hope to all those
who lack employment; may he sustain the commitment of those with public
responsibilities in political and economic life, that they may work to pursue
the common good and to protect the dignity of every human life.
Where God is born, mercy flourishes. Mercy is the most
precious gift which God gives us, especially during this Jubilee year in which
we are called to discover that tender love of our heavenly Father for each of
us. May the Lord enable prisoners in particular to experience his merciful
love, which heals wounds and triumphs over evil.
Today, then, let us together rejoice in the day of our
salvation. As we contemplate the Crib, let us gaze on the open arms of Jesus,
which show us the merciful embrace of God, as we hear the cries of the Child
who whispers to us: “for my brethren and companions’ sake, I will say: Peace be
within you” (Ps 121[122]:8).v
