“Let us hasten to follow paths of peace and fraternity”, said the Supreme Pontiff in his Urbi et Orbi blessing addressed to the city of Rome and to the entire world, which began at 12:00 local time in the Central Lodge of Saint Peter’s Basilica, preceded by the traditional mass held two hours before in the courtyard of that Catholic temple.

“Let us also hasten to grow on a path of mutual trust, between peoples and nations,” he said, calling on the international community to strive to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and all those who bloody the world, “beginning with Syria, which is still waiting for peace”.

He expressed his concern over “the attacks in recent days, which threaten the desired climate of trust and reciprocal respect, necessary to resume dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians”, and also spoke about the situation in Haiti, “which has been suffering for several years a serious socio-political and humanitarian crisis”.

The Bishop of Rome called for the consolidation of the peace and reconciliation processes undertaken in Ethiopia and South Sudan, the cessation of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the granting of “consolation to the victims of international terrorism, specially in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Nigeria”.

He wished that “the martyred Rohingya” in Myanmar find justice and demanded to help “Lebanon, still in search of stability and unity, to overcome divisions and all citizens work together for the common good of the country.”

He asked for support to “all those who have been affected by the violent earthquake in Turkey and in Syria itself”, and not to forget the people of Tunisia, who “suffer due to social and economic problems”, so that its people, especially the young people “do not lose hope and collaborate in the construction of a future of peace and fraternity”.

The Pope raised his prayer in favor of refugees, deportees, political prisoners and migrants, especially the most vulnerable, as well as “all those who suffer from hunger, poverty and the harmful effects of drug trafficking, human trafficking and all forms of slavery.

He appealed to the inspiration “of the heads of the nations, so that no man or woman is discriminated against or trampled on in their dignity; so that in full respect for human rights and democracy these social wounds are healed”.

Also so that “the common good of citizens is always and exclusively sought, security and the necessary conditions for dialogue and peaceful coexistence are guaranteed” and, to this end, Francis wished that “today we obtain the strength to persevere in the good, towards the encounter of good, which does not disappoint”.

ef/jha/ort