Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered on St. Peter's Square, Dec. 26, 2022 / Vatican Media
CNA Newsroom, Dec 26, 2022 / 06:07 am (CNA).
Pope Francis on Monday called on Catholics to pray for those who have harmed them — and those persecuted — as he renewed his Christmas call for peace in Ukraine and worldwide.
Speaking to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square after praying the Angelus Dec. 26, the pontiff said: “I renew my wish for peace: peace in families, peace in parishes and religious communities, peace in movements and associations, peace for those war-torn peoples, peace for the dear and martyred Ukraine.”
Ukrainian flags waved by visitors on St. Peter's Square, Dec. 26, 2022. Vatican MediaOn the feast of the martyr St. Stephen, the pope said “the martyrs are those most similar to Jesus.”
“Indeed, the word martyr means witness: the martyrs are witnesses, that is