The pope condemned polarization and called for dialogue

 

 In his Christmas message, Pope Francis condemned the growing polarization in personal and international relations, saying that only dialogue can resolve conflicts ranging from family feuds to threats of war, Reuters reports.

In his message Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world), he called on people and world leaders to talk to each other instead of "kicking in the heels", and the distancing he said was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “Our capacity for social relations has been put to the test; "There is a growing tendency to step back, to do everything ourselves, to stop trying to meet others and do things together," he said from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

"And at the international level, there is a risk of avoiding dialogue, a risk of this complex crisis leading to shortcuts instead of going the longer way of dialogue. But only these paths can lead to conflict resolution and lasting benefits for all, "he said.

 Francis, who turned 85 last week, listed conflicts or crises in Syria, Yemen, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan and elsewhere.

"We continue to witness many conflicts, crises and disagreements," he said, speaking from the same balcony where he first appeared in the world as pope since his election on March 13, 2013.

 “They never seem to end; we hardly notice them anymore. We are so accustomed to them that great tragedies are now passed over in silence; we run the risk of not hearing the cries of pain and suffering of so many of our brothers and sisters, ”he said, speaking to an unusually small audience reduced by restrictions due to the pandemic and bad weather to just a few thousand.

He asked God to "give peace and unity to families," praising those who strive to keep them and communities together in such divisive times.

 "Let's ask him for the strength to be open to dialogue. "On this holiday, let us beg him to arouse in the hearts of all the longing for reconciliation and brotherhood," he said.

He uses the word "dialogue" 11 times in a speech of just over two pages. Francis asked God to "prevent new outbreaks of protracted conflict" in Ukraine, which accused Russia of amassing tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a possible large-scale military offensive.

 He asked people not to be indifferent to the plight of migrants, refugees, displaced persons, political prisoners and women victims of violence, and called on leaders to protect the environment for future generations.

In his liturgy on Christmas Eve on Friday night at St. Peter's Basilica, Francis said that people who are indifferent to the poor offend God and called on everyone to "look beyond all lights and ornaments" and remember those most in need.