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The crown restrictions in Italy are currently strict: Pope Francis wears a face mask. Photo: Uncredited / Vatican Media / AP / dpa
Source: dpa-infocom GmbH
Corona, violence and suffering: all over the world, many people are doing it wrong. Pope Francis thinks of them in his Christmas message and has a clear demand for corona vaccines.
Rom (dpa) – Pope Francis thought of many sufferings in the world in his Christmas message and donated the papal blessing “Urbi et orbi”.
“Accepting violence and injustice would mean rejecting the joy and hope of Christmas,” Francis said Friday in the Hall of Blessings of the Apostolic Palace, in memory of all those who work against suffering. The head of the Catholic Church had to donate the blessing to a smaller group due to crown restrictions. At Easter he had done it from St. Peter’s Basilica. Usually a sea of pilgrims awaits the Pope in St. Peter’s Square; this year, the square was empty.
In his Christmas message, Francisco prayed for solidarity with those who suffered the pandemic, such as women who were victims of domestic violence or people who lost their jobs during the crisis. The corona vaccine should also be available to all people, especially the most vulnerable. “We are all in the same boat,” he explained.
Looking at the world situation in countries ravaged by the crisis, the 84-year-old man drew attention to the fate of many children in Yemen, Syria and Iraq who are suffering from war; but also the violence and displacement that were inflicted on ethnic groups such as the Yazidis or the Rohingya.
He prayed for peace and relief of suffering in countries on the African continent where terror, violence and natural disasters afflict people, such as in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ethiopia and Mozambique. He also called for maintaining the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, to continue peace efforts in South Sudan, Nigeria and Cameroon and prayed for a reconciliation between Israel and Palestine.
In the Holy Land, believers prayed for an end to the crown pandemic at midnight mass in Bethlehem, the West Bank place that is revered as the birthplace of Jesus. Like all Christmas celebrations this year, this fair was also held under Crown restrictions and only in the presence of Christian dignitaries.
In his Christmas message, the Argentine Francisco also looked at the American continent. He wished strength and comfort to the countries that had been hard hit by the Crown; as well as the Asian countries where natural disasters affected the population.
Later, the pontiff donated the papal blessing “Urbi et orbi” (For the city and the world). With the blessing, the Pope frees believers from penalties for their sins, if they have already extinguished them beforehand, for example in confession or through prayers. The blessing is usually given at Christmas, Easter and after the election of the Pope. This year, Francisco had donated the blessing on the occasion of the corona pandemic on March 27.
Believers can also receive the blessing on radio, television or the Internet and do not need to be in the Vatican. “Urbi et orbi” is addressed to the city of Rome, whose bishop is the Pope, and to the globe, that is, to the world.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201225-99-808941 / 5
