Christmas has been 'taken hostage' by materialism that blinds us to the needs of the hungry, says Pope Francis

Pope Francis has stated that Christmas has been 'taken hostage' by materialism that blinds us to the wants of the hungry as he made his annual speech on the Vatican. 

Francis, 80, addressed an viewers of 10,000 folks together with dozens of cardinals and bishops at St. Peter's Basilica. 

He was main the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas for the fourth time since his election in 2013.

Francis stated in his Christmas Eve homily world typically obsessive about items, feasting and self-centeredness wanted extra humility.

Pope Francis, 80, addressed an viewers of 10,000 folks together with dozens of cardinals and bishops at St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis (pictured) kneels as he leads the Christmas night time Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica on the Vatican on Christmas Eve 

The 80-year-old was main the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas for the fourth time since his election in 2016

Pope Francis kisses a figurine of child Jesus as he celebrates a mass on Christmas eve marking the delivery of Jesus Christ

He stated: 'If we need to rejoice Christmas authentically, we have to ponder this signal: the delicate simplicity of a small new child, the meekness of the place he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling garments. God is there.'

On the solemn however joyous service, Pope Francis stated the numerous within the rich world needed to be reminded that the message of Christmas was humility, simplicity and thriller.

He added: 'Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference.

'Immediately additionally the identical indifference can exist, when Christmas turns into a feast the place the protagonists are ourselves, somewhat than Jesus; when the lights of commerce solid the sunshine of God into the shadows; after we are involved for items, however chilly towards those that are marginalized.'

He then added in unscripted remarks: 'This worldliness has taken Christmas hostage. It must be freed.'

Safety was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and on the Vatican after Italian police killed the person believed to be liable for the Berlin market truck assault whereas different European cities saved forces on excessive alert.

St. Peter's Sq. was cleared out six hours earlier than the mass began on the basilica in order that safety procedures might be put in place for these getting into the church later.

This was the view inside St. Peter's Basilica throughout the Christmas Evening Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on December 24

Pope Francis arrived at St. Peter's Basilica for the Christmas Evening Mass within the Vatican Metropolis, Vatican, on December 24 

Pope Francis (pictured each left and proper) celebrated mass on Christmas Eve marking the delivery of Jesus Christ

A whole lot of individuals attended the service on the Vatican Metropolis and listened to Pope Francis give his speech on Saturday night 

Francis, who has made defence of the poor a trademark of his papacy, stated the toddler Jesus ought to remind everybody of these struggling at present, significantly youngsters.

He stated: 'Allow us to additionally permit ourselves to be challenged by the youngsters of at present's world, who will not be mendacity in a cot caressed with the love of a mom and father, however somewhat endure the squalid mangers that devour dignity: hiding underground to flee bombardment, on the pavements of a big metropolis, on the backside of a ship over-laden with immigrants.'

Exterior the basilica, 1000's of people that couldn't get into the most important church in Christendom watched on giant screens within the chilly night time.

Francis added: 'Allow us to permit ourselves to be challenged by the youngsters who will not be allowed to be born, by those that cry as a result of nobody satiates their starvation, by those that do haven't toys of their fingers, however somewhat weapons.'

On Christmas Day, Francis will ship his twice-yearly 'Urbi et Orbi' ('To the Metropolis and to the World') blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.  

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