Dec 25, 2013

In his first Christmas as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis used his “Urbi et Orbi” address to call for an end to the conflict in South Sudan and peace worldwide.

: Pope Francis waves as he delivers a “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) blessing from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican December 25, 2013. Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as the Roman Catholic leader, called for dialogue to end the conflict in South Sudan and all wars, saying everyone should strive to be personal peacemakers. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

: Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he delivers his Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing (to the city and to the world) is recognized as a Christmas tradition by Catholics. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: A Swiss Guard stands as Pope Francis delivers his first “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) message from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican December 25, 2013. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

: Pope Francis delivers his Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: Pope Francis waves before delivering his Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: Two Swiss Guards stand as Pope Francis delivers his first “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) address from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican December 25, 2013. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

: People in St. Peter’s Square attend Pope Francis’ Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: People gathered in St. Peter’s Square attend Pope Francis’ Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing (to the city and to the world) is recognized as a Christmas tradition by Catholics. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: Swiss Guards arrive in St. Peter’s Square on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: A Swiss Guard attends Pope Francis’ Christmas Day address from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

: Pope Francis waves as he delivers his first “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) message from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican December 25, 2013. Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as Roman Catholic leader, on Wednesday called for dialogue to end the conflict in South Sudan and all wars, saying everyone should strive to be personal peacemakers. (Osservatore Romano/Reuters)

: Carabinieri, Italian special police, arrive in St. Peter’s Square to attend Pope Francis’ Christmas Day message delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Atheists, work with us for peace, Pope says on Christmas
Philip Pullella, Reuters
December 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as Roman Catholic leader, on Wednesday called on atheists to unite with believers of all religions and work for “a homemade peace” that can spread across the world.

Speaking to about 70,000 people from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the same spot where he emerged to the world as pope when he was elected on March 13, Francis also made another appeal for the environment to be saved from “human greed and rapacity.”

The leader of the 1.2 billion-member Church wove his first “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) message around the theme of peace.

“Peace is a daily commitment. It is a homemade peace,” he said.

Pope Francis delivers first Christmas Day address

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