Pope: Pursuit of Peace not the Responsibility of a Few, But of All

 Reflecting on the upcoming Christmas season, Pope Francis yesterday warned that if  "desensetization  and indifference to the horrors of war prevail, all of humanity is defeated." the Catholic News website reports today (Dec.3, 2024). 

"I hope that the glimmer of peace that has emerged can lead to a ceasefire on all fronts," Pope Francis stated after praying the Angelus yesterday. 

He was referring to the ceasefire agreement reached between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel to end 13 months of fighting.

Building upon this, the pope also challenged  the Lebanese people to elect a president. "As soon as possible,"  he encouraged, "so that institutions can return  to normal functioning, proceed with the necessary reforms, and ensure the country remains an example of peaceful coexistence among different religions."

Pope Francis continued to express his concern for the areas of the world in conflict, including Gaza, Sria, and Ukraine. He shared his deep concern for the release of Israeli hostages and petitioned once again that "humanitarian aid to the exhausted Palestinian population" be available. 

Pope Francis renewed his challenge to the international community "and to every man and woman of good will, to do everything possible to stop war and to promote dialogue, frarternity, and reconciliation."

Remembering the Holy Land this Christmas

 As Christmas approaches, Friends of t he Holy Land is asking Christians to turn their minds to the city of Bethlehem, where the  Christmas story began , and conflict continues in the region., the Christian Today website reports today (Dec. 2, 2024). 

For children across the world, the celebration of Christ's birth will mean presents, nativity plays, and meals with family and friends, but children in the Holy Land will spend their Christmas worrying about  bombing in the region and where their next meal will come from, says Friends of the Holy Land.

Speaking at the launch of its Christmas Appeal, CEO Brendan Metcalfe said that the Holy Land's children are being robbed of their chance of a normal childhood, and the ongoing conflict has denied children many of their basic needs. 

It is proving impossible to keep children sheltered from the reality of the situation, with parents from across the West Bank reporting warning signs of the heavy toll the ever--present danger is taking on children. Many experience nightmares fed by the fears they live with day--to--day,  while others have lost their appetite and do not want to play with friends anymore. 

Also, a whole generation is at risk of missing out of some of their most formative years of school. According to Metcalf, "Since October 2023, many children are unable to attend school due to travel restrictions, school fees, or because they are too frightened to leave their homes."