The Pope has warned in his message for the 56th Day of Peace, to be celebrated next January 1, 2023, that the war in Ukraine, along with all other conflicts around the world, represents a «defeat» for all of humanity and not only for the parties directly involved.
«While a vaccine for Covid-19 has been found, adequate solutions for war have not yet been found. Certainly the virus of war is more difficult to defeat than those that attack the human organism, because it does not come from outside, but from within the human heart, corrupted by sin,» he stresses.
Francis regrets that when it could be expected that «the worst of the night of the Covid-19 pandemic had been overcome, a new and terrible disaster fell upon humanity». In his opinion, this «other scourge», comparable to the pandemic, is nevertheless guided by «reprehensible human choices».
«It reaps innocent victims and sows uncertainty, not only for those directly affected by it, but in a generalized and indiscriminate way for all, even for those who, thousands of kilometers away, suffer its collateral effects – just think of the problems of cereal and fuel prices,» he says.
The message, under the title ‘No one can save himself alone. Starting again from COVID-19 to trace together paths of peace’, was made public this Friday, December 16, and will set the tone for all the liturgical celebrations of Christmas.
The Pontiff also calls on governments, the heads of international organizations and religious leaders to a joint commitment to «heal» the world and also to develop «appropriate policies» to welcome and integrate migrants.
Likewise, he asks to take up the question of «guaranteeing public health care for all» and policies that fight «against the virus of inequality» and that guarantee «food and decent work for all, supporting those who do not even have a minimum wage and are going through great difficulties». «The scandal of the starving people hurts us. We must develop, with appropriate policies, the reception and integration, especially of migrants and those who live as discarded in our societies,» he said.
LIGHT EVEN «IN THE DARKEST HOUR».
In any case, he assures that «there is light even in the darkest hour» and recalls that the pandemic dragged humanity «in the middle of the night». After three years, he considers that the time has come to take time to question, learn, grow and let oneself be transformed – personally and as a community. «From this experience, a stronger awareness has emerged that invites everyone, peoples and nations, to put the word ‘together’ back at the center,» he adds.
The Pope also criticizes the «excessive» faith placed in progress, technology and the effects of globalization that has become «an individualistic and idolatrous intoxication, compromising the desired guarantee of justice, harmony and peace.» In any case, he hopes that «in the new year humanity can walk together, treasuring that history can teach men.
