Pope praises nations taking in refugees in Christmas prayer

Pope Francis on Friday praised individuals and countries taking in refugees fleeing “inhuman conditions” in a Christmas prayer.

The pontiff said that such generosity helped refugees “build a dignified future for themselves and for their dear ones, and to be integrated in the societies which receive them,” according to the Associated Press.

Speaking to supporters from a balcony at St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas day, the Pope made reference to November’s terrorist attack in Paris, as well as other attacks linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, calling them “brutal acts of terrorism.”

“May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples,” he said.

Francis said he hoped his prayer would encourage Catholics “to welcome God's mercy in our lives, and be merciful with our brothers to make peace grow.

"Only God's mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst," he added.- Read More at thehill

Pope praises nations taking in refugees in Christmas prayer

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