Pope's Christmas Day blessing includes appeal for peace, denounces weapons industry
Pope Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said Bethlehem "is a place of sorrow and silence" this year.
![Pope's Christmas Day blessing includes appeal for peace, denounces weapons industry](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7069351.1703523766!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/vatican-christmas.jpg)
![Pope Francis waves before delivering the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas' day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) A man in white robes waves from a balcony. Another man stands next to him, smiling.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7069351.1703523766!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/vatican-christmas.jpg)
Pope Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said Bethlehem "is a place of sorrow and silence" this year.