03:21Pope Francis delivered his traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, on Saturday.
"Let's think about the Syrian people, that is living for more than a decade in a war that has caused many victims and a countless number of refugees. Let's look at Iraq, that is still struggling to recover after a long conflict," said Pope Francis during the address, focusing part of his speech on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"Let's turn to the outcry of the children that comes from Yemen. For this tragedy that has been forsaken by all for years that is taking place silently, causing deaths every day," the Pope added.
The Pope also mentioned ongoing tensions in Israel and Palestine, security concerns in Ukraine and expressed hope for wider dialogue.
Last year only a limited number of people were allowed to attend the event to lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This year, in the wave of a fifth-wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the increased prominence of the Omicron variant of concern, the ceremony went ahead with a smaller number of attendees than usual.
Holy See: Pope Francis delivers his traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' address
Pope Francis delivered his traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, on Saturday.
"Let's think about the Syrian people, that is living for more than a decade in a war that has caused many victims and a countless number of refugees. Let's look at Iraq, that is still struggling to recover after a long conflict," said Pope Francis during the address, focusing part of his speech on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"Let's turn to the outcry of the children that comes from Yemen. For this tragedy that has been forsaken by all for years that is taking place silently, causing deaths every day," the Pope added.
The Pope also mentioned ongoing tensions in Israel and Palestine, security concerns in Ukraine and expressed hope for wider dialogue.
Last year only a limited number of people were allowed to attend the event to lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This year, in the wave of a fifth-wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the increased prominence of the Omicron variant of concern, the ceremony went ahead with a smaller number of attendees than usual.
Pope Francis delivered his traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, on Saturday.
"Let's think about the Syrian people, that is living for more than a decade in a war that has caused many victims and a countless number of refugees. Let's look at Iraq, that is still struggling to recover after a long conflict," said Pope Francis during the address, focusing part of his speech on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"Let's turn to the outcry of the children that comes from Yemen. For this tragedy that has been forsaken by all for years that is taking place silently, causing deaths every day," the Pope added.
The Pope also mentioned ongoing tensions in Israel and Palestine, security concerns in Ukraine and expressed hope for wider dialogue.
Last year only a limited number of people were allowed to attend the event to lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19. This year, in the wave of a fifth-wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the increased prominence of the Omicron variant of concern, the ceremony went ahead with a smaller number of attendees than usual.