Pope Francis wishes the reunification of Cyprus in Christmas message
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
In his traditional Christmas message, which he read a short while ago from the Vatican, Pope Francis referred to the need for the reunification of Cyprus.
“May the Holy Year also be an opportunity for the walls that divide to fall: the ideological ones, which so often decisively influence political life, but also the material ones, such as the division that has existed - for fifty years - on the island of Cyprus and which has wounded its social and human fabric. I hope that a commonly accepted solution can be reached, which will put an end to the division, with full respect for the rights and dignity of all Cypriot communities,” Francis stressed, addressing the faithful.
The Pope also called for a silence of weapons in the Middle East and referred in particular to the “extremely serious humanitarian situation in Gaza”, expressing his closeness to Christians living in Israel and Palestine. He again appealed for the release of Israeli hostages, as well as for humanitarian aid to be provided to the exhausted, civilian population.
The Pontiff also expressed his solidarity with the Christian community of Lebanon and Syria and called for dialogue to be initiated throughout the wider region, “which is affected by the conflict”, while encouraging the people of Libya “to seek solutions that will allow national reconciliation to be achieved”.
Francis also referred to Ukraine, stressing:
“Let the weapons be silenced in martyred Ukraine! Let us dare to open the door of negotiation and that which leads to movements of dialogue and reconciliation, so that we may arrive at a just and lasting peace.”
The Pontiff, as he does every year, placed particular emphasis on the African continent. He expressed his closeness, among others, to the people of Congo, Mali, the countries of the Horn of Africa and Sudan. Referring to Latin America, he asked “that effective solutions be found as quickly as possible, with truth and justice, so as to promote social harmony, especially in Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia and Nicaragua.”
“Sisters and Brothers, may the Holy Year of the Jubilee be an opportunity for the forgiveness of debts, especially those that burden the poorest countries. Everyone is called to forgive the insults they have received, because the Son of the Lord, who was born in the cold and darkness of the night, made the forgiveness of every debt ours a reality. He became incarnate to forgive us and to achieve our healing,” Pope Francis concluded.
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