Pope Francis on Christmas Day urges 'to silence the sound of arms'

In his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday, Pope Francis urged “all people of all nations” to find the courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions” plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.

The pontiff's address summarised the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year dedicated to hope, Francis called for reconciliation “even (with) our enemies”.

"I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,'' the leader of the Catholic Church said from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City to the crowd of people gathered for the address.

He called for an end to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, “particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave,” as well as Lebanon and Syria “at this most delicate time”.

Pope Francis renewed his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

The pontiff also spoke of children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, people who have lost their jobs, and those who are persecuted for their faith.

Pilgrims lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the Holy Door at the entrance of St Peter’s Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 38 million Catholic faithful to Rome.

King Charles III attends Christmas Day Mass

King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla and close members of the royal family attended Christmas Day services on Wednesday at a church on Sandringham, the royal retreat estate on the North Sea coast.

The monarch waved to a large crowd of onlookers who traditionally gather outside the church to catch a glimpse of the royal family before and after the service.

Also present was Catherine, Princess of Wales, the king's daughter-in-law, who has gradually returned to public duties after completing medical treatment.

In his annual Christmas message, broadcast at 3 pm GMT (4 pm CET), Charles III is expected to highlight the contributions of health workers in particular.

Millions of people watch the monarch's Christmas message in the UK and across the Commonwealth.

In a rare move, Charles III recorded his message away from royal residences, marking the first time since 2006 that a Christmas message was not filmed at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

This is the British king’s third Christmas speech since ascending to the throne in September 2022.