During the Angelus, Pope Francis mourned the fact the Holy Family Catholic parish in Gaza has been under attack.
POPE FRANCIS
Unarmed civilians are being bombed and shot at. And this has happened even inside the Holy Family parish facility, where there are no terrorists but families, children, sick and disabled people and religious sisters.
The Pope mentioned the names of two women killed by snipers: a mother and her daughter. Others were wounded while going to the bathroom. Pope Francis also expressed his regret that the house of the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa was damaged in different attacks.
POPE FRANCIS
Someone says, “It's terrorism; it's war.” Yes, it is war; it is terrorism. That is why Scripture says that “God makes wars cease...breaks bows and shatters spears.” Let us pray to the Lord for peace.
He did not stop there. The Pope also grieved the situation of thousands of migrants trying to cross the dangerous Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama. He called on the international community and the countries concerned not to let families be endangered in this way.
POPE FRANCIS
These are often families with children who venture into dangerous paths, deceived by those who falsely promise them a short and safe route but are mistreated and robbed. More than a few lose their lives in that jungle.
In St. Peter's Square, several people shared their birthday greetings with the Pope. There were also children waiting with their figurines of the baby Jesus called “bambinelli.” It has long been a tradition for the pope to bless these figures on the third Sunday of Advent, shortly before the beginning of Christmas.
