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 safety to prevail over violence and loss of life.

He referred to as for governments and other people of goodwill within the Americas specifically to deal with the "troubling phenomenon" of migration and its "unscrupulous traffickers" who reap the benefits of innocents simply in search of a greater life.

He took specific goal on the weapons trade, which he stated was fueling the conflicts across the globe with scarcely anybody paying consideration.

"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 stated. "And how can we even speak of peace, when arms production, sales and trade are on the rise?"

Francis has continuously blasted the weapons trade as "merchants of death" and has stated that wars at present, in Ukraine, specifically, are getting used to check out new weapons or dissipate outdated stockpiles.

He referred to as for peace between Israel and Palestinians, and for the battle to be resolved "through sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, sustained by strong political will and the support of the international community."

Vatican officers stated about 70,000 folks stuffed St. Peter's Square for Francis' noonday speech and blessing. They included many individuals flying Palestinian flags, in addition to some Ukrainian ones.

Francis' handle from the loggia marked his fundamental look for Christmas Day, although he's anticipated to ship a blessing on Tuesday, on the feast of St. Stephen, which can be a vacation in Italy.