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LINK Pope Francis denounces the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world | AP News

(I think a lot of religious persons don't like the current Pope because he wants people to actually live Christian teachings. Most self described "Christians" aren't willing to do that. It isn't profitable.)

Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.

Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the “appalling harvest of innocent civilians” as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year.

Francis’ annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World&rdquo😉 speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this year’s edition was no different. From Armenia and Azerbaijan to Syria and Yemen, Ukraine to South Sudan and Congo and the Korean peninsula, Francis appealed for humanitarian initiatives, dialogue and security to prevail over violence and death.

He called for governments and people of goodwill in the Americas in particular to address the “troubling phenomenon” of migration and its “unscrupulous traffickers” who take advantage of innocents just looking for a better life.

He took particular aim at the weapons industry, which he said was fueling the conflicts around the globe with scarcely anyone paying attention.

“It should be talked about and written about, so as to bring to light the interests and the profits that move the puppet strings of war,” he said. “And how can we even speak of peace, when arms production, sales and trade are on the rise?”

Francis has frequently blasted the weapons industry as “merchants of death” and has said that wars today, in Ukraine, in particular, are being used to try out new weapons or use up old stockpiles.

He called for peace between Israel and Palestinians, and for the conflict to be resolved “through sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, sustained by strong political will and the support of the international community.”

Vatican officials said about 70,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square for Francis’ noonday speech and blessing. They included many people flying Palestinian flags, as well as some Ukrainian ones.

Francis’ address from the loggia marked his main appearance for Christmas Day, though he is expected to deliver a blessing on Tuesday, the feast of St. Stephen, which is also a holiday in Italy. Rounding out the holiday, he is to celebrate a New Year’s Eve vigil in the basilica and Mass the following day.

Despite his recent bout of bronchitis, the 87-year-old Francis appeared to hold up well Monday and during Christmas Eve Mass the previous night, though he occasionally coughed and seemed out of breath.

snytiger6 9 Dec 25
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7 comments

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1

Yet not one word of condemnation for Russia, China, Iran or North Korea...
Even though they are all involved in genocide, the slaughter of unarmed innocent civilians, terrorism and war crimes...
Then he expects to be taken seriously?... Good fucking luck with that Chuck.

2

The Catholic Church's demonization of condom use kills more people per year than all the wars being fought by far.

STDs and reproductive tract infections cause 750,000 deaths and 75 million illnesses among women each year worldwide (1993) [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Moreover, approximately 399,000 people die each year from hepatitis C infection. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Globally, close to 80,000 people died due to fighting in armed conflicts in 2019. [ourworldindata.org].

2

For once I am 100% in agreement with the Pope, dialog and negotiation are the best way forward in both Ukraine and Palestine. Might happen in Ukraine, and one can only hope in Palestine. And yes, one of the world's top two industries is the arms industry, and they use their massive well paid for political influence to encourage arms and war as a solution to everything. Them and the fossil fuel industry are happy to watch the world burn so long as the profits come rolling in.

2

The weapons industry as you call it is why our stock market keeps doing well in a bad time where inflation is rampant. Weapons of all sorts are sold to both sides. Instruments of death are a way of life.

It's one of the world's top two industries. With the lobbyists and massive well paid political influence to match. It's not just some neutral party profiting off war. I don't have much good to say about the Catholic Church, but the Pope is right on this one.

Sadly

1

I bet that all those people who have guns in the US are not happy at all. Wonder if they stopped going to church just on that account?

2

It took the Vatican till the year 2023 to accept gays and queers…..and he wants to talk about world peace…..Whatta loser?!!😇

2

I'm glad he is bringing attention to the arms industry and their business of death.

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