Pope in plea for ceasefires to end ‘cruelty’ of conflicts around the world

The Pope’s address was shown on large screens in St Peter’s Square on Sunday (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire in conflicts around the world in his Sunday Angelus prayer ahead of Christmas, condemning the “cruelty” of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza.

Delivering his Sunday blessing from indoors due to a cold and as a precaution ahead of a busy Christmas period, he said: “Let the weapons fall silent and let the Christmas carols ring out.