By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters – Pope Francis, in his Christmas message Saturday, deplored increasing polarisation within personal and international relations. He stated that only dialogue can solve conflicts ranging in size from family disputes to potential war.

He called for individuals and leaders around the globe to communicate in his message “Urbi et Orbi”, which he referred to as “to the city, and the world” and urged them to not dig in their heels. This distancing, he stated, has only been exacerbated by COVID-19.

He said, “Our ability to socially interact is very limited; there’s a growing tendency for us to withdraw, do it all ourselves”, from the central balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica, on a windy and wet Christmas in Rome.

Internationally, too, there’s the chance of avoidance of dialogue. There’s a risk that the complex crisis may lead to quick fixes rather than long-term dialogue. He said that only these paths could lead to conflict resolution and lasting benefits for everyone.

Francis celebrated his 85th birthday last week. He listed the conflicts and tensions that are occurring in Syria, Yemen. Israel. The Palestinian Territories. Afghanistan. Myanmar. Ukraine. Sudan. South Sudan.

He said that “we continue to witness many conflicts, crises, and disagreements”, speaking from the balcony on which he made his first appearance to the world after his election as pope, March 13 2013.

They never seem to stop; we barely even notice them. “We have grown so used to these tragedies that they are being ignored in silence. It is possible to not hear the pain and distress of many of our sisters and brothers,” he stated, speaking before a small audience.

He asked God to give peace and harmony to his families, praising the people who try to unite them in times of division.

Let us pray for his willingness to have a dialogue. “Let us ask him on this holiday to awaken in everyone the yearning for fraternity and reconciliation.” he stated.

As he was speaking to people under rain umbrellas, he used the term “dialogue 11 times.”

Francis asked God to prevent “new outbreaks” of an ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia is accused of having massed tens and thousands of troops for preparation for a large-scale military operation.

Russia claims that it did not plan any attacks and has accused the United States and Ukraine of destabilising behavior. Russia says it requires security guarantees to ensure its safety.

He asked for people to not be blind to the suffering of refugees, migrants, the displaced and political prisoners, as well as women who have been victims of violence, and encouraged leaders to preserve the environment for the future.

Francis spoke at St. Peter’s Basilica’s Christmas Eve Mass Friday evening, saying that indifferent people to the poor are a sin against God. He urged everyone to look beyond the decorations and to remember those who need them most.