Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is recognizing that this isn't a joyous holiday season for people in many parts of the world.
In his Christmas Day speech, delivered to a crowd of tens of thousands in St. Peter's Square, he spoke of children who are "made objects of trade and trafficking" or who are forced to become soldiers.
The pontiff voiced anguish for children who suffer maltreatment or violence -- including the recent terrorist attack on a Pakistani military school.
And he decried the persecution of ancient Christian communities in Iraq and Syria, along with those from other ethnic and religious groups.
While much of his message concerned poor countries, Francis had harsh words for some in affluent nations. He prayed for an end to the hardened hearts "of so many men and women immersed in worldliness and indifference."
%@AP Links
090-a-17-(Sound of Romans and tourists in St. Peter's Square, followed by Pope Francis in the Vatican's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica)--This is sound of Romans and tourists in St. Peter's Square, followed by Pope Francis in the Vatican's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message -- "to the city and the world" -- from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. (25 Dec 2014)
<<CUT *090 (12/25/14)££ 00:17
088-r-21-(Pope Francis, speaking in Italian, delivering the Catholic Church's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica)--This is sound of Pope Francis, in Italian, delivering Vatican's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message "to the city and the world" from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. (25 Dec 2014)
<<CUT *088 (12/25/14)££ 00:21
APPHOTO ALT121: Pope Francis delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and to the world) blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014. Tens of thousands of Romans and tourists in St. Peter's Square listened as the pontiff delivered the Catholic church's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (Latin for "to the city and to the world) Christmas message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Francis said: "truly there are so many tears this Christmas." Pope Francis focused his concern Thursday on those weeping in the world this Christmas, singling out refugees, hostages and others suffering in the Middle East, Africa and Ukraine as he prayed for hope and peace. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (25 Dec 2014)
<<APPHOTO ALT121 (12/25/14)££
APPHOTO ALT104: Pope Francis, center, delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and to the world) blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014. Tens of thousands of Romans and tourists in St. Peter's Square listened as the pontiff delivered the Catholic church's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (Latin for "to the city and to the world) Christmas message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Francis said: "truly there are so many tears this Christmas." (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (25 Dec 2014)
<<APPHOTO ALT104 (12/25/14)££
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
