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Pope Francis urges aid access to Syria in Christmas speech | Pope Francis urges aid access to Syria in Christmas speech |
(35 minutes later) | |
Pope Francis has used his first Christmas Day address to urge access for humanitarian aid in Syria. | Pope Francis has used his first Christmas Day address to urge access for humanitarian aid in Syria. |
He told thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square in the Vatican to pray for a peaceful end to violence in Syria and other conflict zones. | He told thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square in the Vatican to pray for a peaceful end to violence in Syria and other conflict zones. |
The Argentine pope also said tragic incidents involving migrants trying to reach Europe should not be repeated. | |
Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. | Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. |
It was the third successive year that the Syrian conflict had been a main focus of the Christmas speech, one of the addresses known as Urbi et Orbi. | It was the third successive year that the Syrian conflict had been a main focus of the Christmas speech, one of the addresses known as Urbi et Orbi. |
"Too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fuelling hatred and vengeance," said the 77-year-old pontiff. | |
"Let us continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering." | |
He also called for peace in Iraq and a successful outcome in talks between Israelis and Palestinians. | |
Conflicts in Africa were another focus of the Pope's address. | |
He called the violence in the Central African Republic "often forgotten and overlooked" in a country "torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty". | |
He also urged an end to fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo, and for "social harmony" in South Sudan. | |
On Tuesday evening thousands gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations. | On Tuesday evening thousands gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations. |
The nearby Church of the Nativity sits on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born. | The nearby Church of the Nativity sits on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born. |
Correspondents said it was the biggest crowd to attend the event in years. | Correspondents said it was the biggest crowd to attend the event in years. |