Pope wishes peace for those scarred by war and terror

VATICAN CITY — Decrying the suffering in Syria, Pope Francis on Sunday wished Christmas peace and hope for all those scarred by war and terrorism, which he said is sowing “fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities.”

Some 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long securit y lines to enter St. Peter’s Square to see the pope on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he delivered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and to the world”) Christmas message and blessing.

Francis spoke sorrowfully of the suffering caused by the Syrian war, especially i n A l e pp o, p r e s s i n g t h e international community to help negotiate a solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to “write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way” toward building a future of understanding and harmony.

He also cited the “brutality of terrorism” in Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

I n N i g e r i a , t h e p o p e lamented, “fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children,” a reference to child suicide bombers. He expressed hope that dialogue would prevail over “the mindset of conflict” in both South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks, including one last week in Berlin.