Vatican City, Italy โย Pope Francis on Wednesday urged world leaders to annul the debt of poorer countries, the official Vatican news agency reported.
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Speaking after his traditional New Yearsโ Day Angelus, he made an appeal to world leaders,
โGod is the first to forgive debts, as we always ask in the โOur Father,โ” Pope Francis said. “The Jubilee calls us to translate this forgiveness into social terms so that no individual, family, or people is crushed by debt. I encourage leaders of nations with Christian traditions to set an example by canceling or significantly reducing the debts of the poorest countries.โ
Also touching upon the ongoing wars and conflicts across the world, he said: โLet us pray for an end to all fighting and for a decisive focus on peace and reconciliation. My thoughts go to war-torn Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Myanmar, (North) Kivu, and so many other people in conflict.โ
โBrothers and sisters, war destroys. It always destroys! War is always a defeat. Always. I express my heartfelt appreciation to all those striving for peace,โ he added.
Honoring the Efforts of Peacemakers Around the World
The Pope went on to extend his heartfelt thanks to all those who, in conflict-ridden areas across the globe, are working diplomatically to promote justice and peace.
โI express my deep gratitude”, he said, “to everyone who, in the many regions plagued by conflict, work toward dialogue and negotiations. Let us pray for an end to all fighting and for a decisive focus on peace and reconciliation. My thoughts go to war-torn Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Myanmar, [North] Kivu, and so many other people in conflict.โ
Greeting to Italian President
The Pope extended his best wishes to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, expressing hope for โevery good thing in the new yearโ and assuring him of his prayers. In his New Yearโs address to the nation the previous evening, Mattarella echoed the Popeโs message, noting the significance of the 58th World Day of Peace and its call to the conscience of all.
โAllโHeads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, civil and religious authoritiesโare called to address the wounds of the world, the troubling social and economic fragmentation, and the growing threats to peaceful development among nations,โ Mattarella said.
He affirmed that, on behalf of the Italian people, he takes up Pope Francisโs continuous appeals for urgent and courageous actions to secure peace and address challenges such as migration, environmental degradation, and the risks and opportunities posed by new technologies.
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