Pope’s Christmas message urges ‘all people of all nations’ to overcome divisions

Pope Francis waves before delivering the Urbi et Orbi from the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis has used his traditional Christmas message to urge “all people of all nations” to find courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions”.

The pontiff’s “Urbi et Orbi” – “To the City and the World” – address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, “even (with) our enemies”.