The Pope has prayed for a softening of “stony and self-centred hearts” to help end injustice in the world, in his Christmas Day message.
From the Vatican balcony, Pope Francis spoke of “walls of indifference” being put up to people fleeing hardship in the hope of finding a better life.
The Pope prayed for those hit by conflict, natural disasters and disease, listing several countries.
He singled out parts of Africa where Christians had been killed.
Speaking under a clear blue sky to thousands crowded into St Peter’s Square, the Pope urged “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”. Read more
