Pope Francis-Christmas Message and “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing 2019-12-25 DECEMBER 25, 2019 - At noon from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica

[Click to watch video of Pope's Christmas message.  Audio delay at beginning]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amF8ml3SmTY

DECEMBER 25, 2019 12:20ZENIT STAFFPAPAL TEXTS

At noon today from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis addressed the following Christmas Message to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Is 9:1)

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Merry Christmas!

From the womb of Mother Church, the incarnate Son of God is born anew this night. His name is Jesus, which means: “God saves”. The Father, eternal and infinite Love, has sent him into the world not to condemn the world but to save it (cf. Jn 3:17). The Father has given him to us with great mercy. He has given him to everyone. He has given him forever. The Son is born, like a small light flickering in the cold and darkness of the night.

That Child, born of the Virgin Mary, is the Word of God made flesh. The Word who guided Abraham’s heart and steps towards the promised land, and who continues to draw to himself all those who trust in God’s promises. The Word who led the Hebrews on the journey from slavery to freedom and who continues to call the enslaved in every age, including our own, to come forth from their prisons. He is the Word brighter than the sun, made incarnate in a tiny son of man: Jesus the light of the world.

This is why the prophet cries out: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Is 9:1). There is darkness in human hearts, yet the light of Christ is greater still. There is darkness in personal, family and social relationships, but the light of Christ is greater. There is darkness in economic, geopolitical and ecological conflicts, yet greater still is the light of Christ.

May Christ bring his light to the many children suffering from war and conflicts in the Middle East and in various countries of the world. May he bring comfort to the beloved Syrian people who still see no end to the hostilities that have rent their country over the last decade. May he stir the consciences of men and women of good will. May he inspire governments and the international community to find solutions to allow the peoples of that region to live together in peace and security, and put an end to their sufferings. May he sustain the Lebanese people and enable them to overcome the current crisis and rediscover their vocation to be a message of freedom and harmonious coexistence for all.

May the Lord Jesus bring light to the Holy Land, where he was born as the Saviour of mankind, and where so many people – struggling but not discouraged – still await a time of peace, security and prosperity. May he bring consolation to Iraq amid its present social tensions, and to Yemen, suffering from a grave humanitarian crisis.

May the tiny Babe of Bethlehem bring hope to the whole American continent, where a number of nations are experiencing a time of social and political upheaval. May he encourage the beloved Venezuelan people, long tried by their political and social tensions, and ensure that they receive the aid they need. May he bless the efforts of those who spare no effort to promote justice and reconciliation and to overcome the various crises and the many forms of poverty that offend the dignity of each person.

May the Redeemer of the world bring light to beloved Ukraine, which yearns for concrete solutions for an enduring peace.  May the newborn Lord bring light to the people of Africa, where persistent social and political situations often force individuals to migrate, depriving them of a home and family. May he bring peace to those living in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, torn by continuing conflicts. May he bring consolation to all who suffer because of violence, natural disasters or outbreaks of disease. And may he bring comfort to those who are persecuted for their religious faith, especially missionaries and members of the faithful who have been kidnapped, and to the victims of attacks by extremist groups, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

May the Son of God, come down to earth from heaven, protect and sustain all those who, due to these and other injustices, are forced to emigrate in the hope of a secure life. It is injustice that makes them cross deserts and seas that become cemeteries. It is injustice that forces them to ensure unspeakable forms of abuse, enslavement of every kind and torture in inhumane detention camps. It is injustice that turns them away from places where they might have hope for a dignified life, but instead find themselves before walls of indifference.

May Emmanuel bring light to all the suffering members of our human family. May he soften our often stony and self-centred hearts, and make them channels of his love. May he bring his smile, through our poor faces, to all the children of the world: to those who are abandoned and those who suffer violence. Through our frail hands, may he clothe those who have nothing to wear, give bread to the hungry and heal the sick. Through our friendship, such as it is, may he draw close to the elderly and the lonely, to migrants and the marginalized. On this joyful Christmas Day, may he bring his tenderness to all and brighten the darkness of this world.

[Original text: Italian]

DECEMBER 25, 2019 12:20PAPAL TEXTS

World Reacts to Paris terror with solidarity, sorrow, and strength - China to the Vatican, Israel to Arab world share grief

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Obamaville September 28 - USA Hit by 8.2 Earthquake as Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin converge on America

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What a week of astounding foreign influence on America as Pope Francis led a trio of international heavyweights onto American soil resulting in a seismic tsunami of epic proportions when it comes to America's role in the world, and the American agenda at home.

Pope Francis stopped in Cuba on the way and blew the doors off the Communist regime with his non-threatening message of peace and call to end the Cuban embargo by America.  Once the Cuban people saw Cuban President Raul Castro at the Pope's side for every Mass he delivered, they came out by the millions to welcome the Prince of Peace from the Vatican.

Next, the Pope journeyed to the heart and soul of America as millions flocked to hear his message in Washington, D.C., New York City, and the City of Brotherly love Philadelphia.  The first Jesuit Priest to become Pope in history and the first Pope ever from the Americas stunned the news media and politicians as he took on the most contentious and divisive issues of the day.

In our nation's capitol, he was the first Pope to address a joint session of Congress and he literally brought down the house.  In the process he inspired the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, to resign from his position as third in line for the presidency, and his congressional seat from Ohio.

The smiling, soft-spoken Pope from Argentina taught all the politicians a lesson on humility, service, and love for all human beings.  Clearly uncomfortable with the royalty and riches of capitalism, he became energized, and animated when diving into the crowds to embrace the handicapped, kiss the babies, take selfies with the youth, and highlight the rich American heritage resulting from open borders.

No matter how serious or contentious the issue, the Pope did not hesitate to embrace it from immigration reform to abortion, neglect of the elderly to refugees in Syria, the need for giving hope to the masses to the shame of sexual abuses in the church.  His visits to Harlem, to programs providing care for the downtrodden, to meeting prison inmates, overshadowed his amazing addresses to congress and the United Nations.

Whether the 266th Pope was meeting in the White House with the 44th President of the United States, or addressing the United Nations General Assembly in their 70th year in existence, the Pope cast an amazing aura.  The fact the Popes have been around for 1,982 years, and he was the direct line of succession from St. Peter the apostle who walked with Jesus Christ, gave a mystical quality to the joyful and hopeful Pope.

His words struck at the very heart of humanity when he said sexual abuse by priests and others caused, "God to weep."  His insistence that climate change required action for the good of our future generations, or that the sanctity of life must be protected from the womb to the end of life, resulting in his call for an end to the death penalty, left pundits gasping for air.

The gentle smile from this 78-year-old pontiff allowed all Americans and citizens of the world to hear his words, not just the 1.2 billion Catholics, and his Inter-faith service at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center of New York with clergy from every major religion of the world proved he was serious.

As the Pope was flying from Washington to New York the Chinese President, Xi Jinping and his wife were arriving at the White House.  As leader of the second most powerful economy in the world, Obama has accused China of many things, including every major cyber attack on the US.

In addition, China has expanded their defense capability and violated the territorial rights of islands off the coast of China by building an airport at that location.  It seems the islands are near major Pacific shipping lanes.

Of course, the USA has been using cyber attacks and infiltration and monitoring of computers and phones for fifteen years against foreign countries.  The big difference is Edward Snowden proved we do it while the Obama administration cannot prove the Chinese did.

President Xi Jinping immediately announced plans by China to reduce their military by 300,000 soldiers, ten percent of their entire army.  Then he agreed to secure international approval of the island annexation, and said China would commit to participating in the climate change treaty in November.  As one of the biggest polluters in the world because of their rapidly expanding economy, it shocked world leaders China was prepared to do their part.

By now, the Pope and Chinese president had beaten Obama by embracing massive and significant changes in the world landscape without being told to or lectured by America. Unfortunately, for the president, the world was not through with him.

On Saturday with the Pope in Philadelphia and Chinese President on his way to the United Nations in NYC, Russian President Putin requested a meeting with Obama.  Now Putin is the one world leader who can get to the president just by opening his mouth or smiling.

Obama has refused to meet with Putin for over two years because Putin snatched Crimea back from the Ukraine and Russia is still causing fits in the Ukraine.  As Obama waffled on whether to meet Putin, Russia also announced approval of a new security pact with Syria, Iran, and Iraq, stunning the American intelligence services when he made the announcement, the same day as his meeting request.

Syria is Obama's greatest foreign policy failure, Iraq is the biggest war disaster for Obama, and Iran only agreed to limiting production of nuclear weapons because Russia (Putin) and China were partners in the negotiations.  Suddenly, Obama found himself shoved off the stage of public opinion by the Pope, China, and Russia, and it was all happening on American soil.

Stay tuned for the results.