Pope Francis delivered the above plea in his Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” message to thousands in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.
Pope Francis in his Christmas Day blessing address urged the international community to crack down “unanimously” on the ISIL jihadist group and to end "atrocities" in the Middle East and Africa.
The pontiff did not name the Islamic State by name but said horrific acts such as those carried out by the militia group "cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples".
In his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) address from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, he asked that Jesus grant "consolation and strength" to "brothers and sisters who in many parts of the world are being persecuted for their faith", adding "they are today’s martyrs".
In a wide ranging appreciation of the world's problems delivered under sunny skies to crowds of Christmas pilgrims and tourists, Francis also underlined the plight of migrants, saying "may God repay all those, both individuals and states, who generously work to provide assistance and welcome to the numerous migrants and refugees, helping them to build a dignified future for themselves and their dear ones."
The Argentine pope said the birth of God allows hope and persons regaining their dignity "yet even today great numbers of men and women are deprived of their human dignity and, like the child Jesus, suffer cold, poverty and rejection.”
“May our closeness today be felt by those who are most vulnerable, especially child soldiers, women who suffer violence, and the victims of human trafficking and the drug trade."
“Where peace is born there is no longer room for hatred and for war,” Francis said, yet “tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built”.
On the conflict in the Middle East, Francis said: “We pray to the Lord that the agreement reached in the United Nations may succeed in halting as quickly as possible the clash of arms in Syria and in remedzing the extremely grave humanitarian situation of its suffering people. It is likewise urgent that the agreement on Libya be supported by all …”
“May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples,” the pope said.
The pope praised the generosity of countries which have accepted Syrian refugees and condemned the “monstrous evil” which has forced increasing numbers of people to flee their homes in the Middle East, saying he was praying for an end to human suffering in a world afflicted by war, poverty and extremist attacks.
He also turned his attention to another conflict in the Middle East, saying: “May Israelis and Palestinians resume direct dialogue and reach an agreement which will enable the two peoples to live together in harmony, ending a conflict which has long set them at odds with grave repercussions for the entire region.”
The pope also asked that Christmas bring peace to Ukraine, and that “on this festal day the lord grant renewed hope to all those who lack employment.”
Pope Francis referred to the “brutal acts of terrorism” in Paris in November as well as the conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine.
“Only God’s mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst,” he told worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square.
The pope called for “encouragement … to all those fleeing extreme poverty or war, travelling all too often in inhumane conditions and not infrequently at the risk of their lives”.
He praised those who are helping migrants “to build a dignified future for themselves and for their dear ones, and to be integrated in the societies which receive them”.
Francis said “Mercy is the most precious gift which God gives us, especially during this Jubilee year in which we are called to discover that tender love of our heavenly Father for each of us.”
The Urbi et Orbi is given every Easter and Christmas and is broadcast worldwide. It follows on from the Midnight Mass presided over by the pontiff in St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas eve.
Last year, around 80,000 gathered in St Peter's Square to hear the Pope's sombre message in which he condemned the "brutal persecution" of Christians and other religious and ethnic groups in Iraq and Syria, saying "there are so many tears this Christmas".
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