On Christmas Day, 2013, Pope Francis concluded his
Urbi et Orbi with this beautiful prayer:
Lord of life, protect all who are persecuted for your
name. Grant hope and consolation to the displaced and refugees,
especially in the Horn of Africa and in the eastern part of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Grant that migrants in search of a
dignified life may find acceptance and assistance. May tragedies like
those we have witnessed this year, with so many deaths at Lampedusa,
never occur again!
Child of Bethlehem, touch the hearts of all those engaged in human
trafficking, that they may realize the gravity of this crime against
humanity. Look upon the many children who are kidnapped, wounded and
killed in armed conflicts, and all those who are robbed of their
childhood and forced to become soldiers.
Lord of heaven and earth, look upon our planet, frequently exploited
by human greed and rapacity. Help and protect all the victims of natural
disasters, especially the beloved people of the Philippines, gravely
affected by the recent typhoon.
Dear brothers and sisters, today, in this world, in this humanity, is
born the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Let us pause before the Child
of Bethlehem. Let us allow our hearts to be touched, let us not fear
this. Let us not fear that our hearts be moved. We need this! Let us
allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God; we need his
caress. God’s caresses do not harm us. They give us peace and strength.
We need his caresses. God is full of love: to him be praise and glory
forever! God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each
day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the
whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.
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