Pope Francis In His Christmas Message Calls On International Community To Unite In Ending Atrocities

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world came to Vatican on Friday to see Pope Francis deliver his third Christmas message since his election in 2013. The 79-year-old Pope tackled several societal issues in his address known as "Urbi et Orbi," which means "To the City [of Rome] and to the World."

BBC News reported Friday that among the matters that were tackled by Pope Francis include war, terrorism and the issue of migrant crisis.

The Argentine Pope began his Christmas message with greetings, "Dear Brothers and Sisters, a Happy and Holy Easter!" adding that Christmas season "is the basis of our faith and our hope."

Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis called for "an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent."

Pope Francis added, "We pray in a particular way for Syria, beloved Syria, that all those suffering the effects of the conflict can receive needed humanitarian aid and that neither side will again use deadly force, especially against the defenseless civil population, but instead boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue!"

"Jesus, Lord of glory, we ask you to comfort the victims of fratricidal acts of violence in Iraq and to sustain the hopes raised by the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. We beg for an end to the conflicts in the Central African Republic and a halt to the brutal terrorist attacks in parts of Nigeria and the acts of violence in South Sudan. We ask that hearts be turned to reconciliation and fraternal concord in Venezuela."

Pope Francis also called on international community to unite to put an end to atrocities.

"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."

He went on, "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 humanity insoluble situations."

Reuters noted Friday that Pope Francis also called for reconciliation among Israelis and Palestinians.

"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," Pope Francis said.