Daily Mail: Pope Francis calls for the world to unite against 'brutal acts of terrorism' in Christmas message which offered thanks to those countries who have come to the aid of migrants* Francis, 73, spoke to thousands inside the grand St Peter's Basilica during his only public mass over Christmas
* Argentina born Pontiff urged Christians to abandon their superficial desires and embrace the 'essential ways of life'
* Children from countries that Francis has visited as pontiff were invited to watch him speak at 16th Century church
* As the bells of the basilica rang out, Francis started the mass by unveiling and gently kissing statue of baby Jesus
Pope Francis used his Christmas message this morning to call for peace in a world torn apart by 'brutal acts of terrorism' while thanking the generosity of countries for showing mercy and offering shelter to desperate refugees.
Speaking from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Francis issued a Christmas Day peace appeal Friday against poverty and extremist attacks.
He said: 'Only God's mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst.'
'Where God is born, hope is born. He brings hope. Where God is born, peace is born. And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war.'
MIDDLE EAST
U.S. reports 31 strikes
against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. ISIS using human shields to escape from major Iraqi army offensive
as government forces close in on strategic town of Ramadi.Air strike kills top
Syrian rebel leader on edge of Damascus.
Kurdish-Arab alliance pushes IS back
in north Syria: spokesman.
Syrian government ready
to enter new peace talks.Assad makes surprise
Christmas visit to Damascus church (PHOTOS).Qatar and Russia
agree on Syria peace plans. Moscow and Doha divided
over Assad's legitimacy — Qatar FM.Iranian casualties surge in Syria as
Revolutionary Guards ramps up war effort.Turkish 'cleansing' operation
rocks southeastern cities.
Turkey's Erdogan
talks man on bridge out of suicide.West Bank risks being plunged into chaos in 2016,
warn Palestinian officials. Three Palestinians are shot dead as they launched stabbing and car-ramming attacks
in the West Bank and a fourth is killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers.Crisis averted after Israeli, Palestinian troops
face off near Abbas' home.
Accusations fly over
Saudi hospital fire that killed 24. Anglican leader warns of Christian
'elimination' in Middle East.ASIA
Late-night earthquake
rattles Pakistani capital. Strong 6.2 magnitude quake
rocks northeast Afghanistan: USGS. Magnitude 6.2 quake
hits northern Afghanistan: USGS.
Afghan and Taliban forces
trade blows in Sangin battle. India PM Modi
makes surprise Pakistan visit. India PM Modi
in surprise Pakistan visit.Indian and Russian
leaders praise partnership. North Korea: U.S. drove South Korea to conflict
after land mine provocations.Door for dialogue with North 'always open'
says president of South Korea.China's controversial new
anti-terror law to pass on Sunday.Beijing security alert:
Australia, Britain and US warn citizens to be vigilant.Fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin
warns on economy.Japan foreign minister arranging Seoul visit
to settle 'comfort women' row.Bangladesh signs $12.65 billion deal
with Russia for nuclear power plants.AFRICA
African Union urges Burundi
to accept peacekeeping forces. AU assures Burundi no hidden motive
in troop deployment plan.CAR postpones crucial election
over technical concerns. South Sudan president
creates 28 new states. S. Sudan: President creates
28 new states, threat to peace.As Libya marks 64th independence anniversary, UN envoy
urges unity behind new Government.'Thanks for destroying our country': Angry Libyans
lash out at Obama's independence congratulations. Congo: Cargo plane
overshoots runway, kills 7.Ethiopian opposition figures
arrested over land protests.'Tens' killed in Nigeria Christmas Eve
gas plant explosion: presidency.Sudan-Niger agree
to fight Boko Haram.Egypt plane crash: Airlines extend
suspension of Sharm el-Sheikh flights. Russia identifies groups
behind Egypt plane crash.South African hunters say new US restrictions
on lion trophies will come at a cost.EUROPE
Pope calls in Christmas message for
unity against militant atrocities.Ukraine adopts budget in bid
to preserve IMF-led bailout.Ukraine imposes
trade embargo on Russia.Refugee crisis grows in Greece
as EU looks on.Cameron closes in on new EU deal
banning benefits for migrants.Steinmeier: 'No German boots
on the ground in Syria'.UK plans rare Christmas
emergency session due to flooding. Georgian foreign minister
nominated for PM.Spain elections:
King Felipe calls for national unity. Russia warming '2.5 times quicker'
than global average: ministry.AMERICAS
2016 Dems turn on Obama admin
over reported deportation raid plans.Heavily redacted Benghazi emails
released on Christmas Eve.Oil producer Venezuela
is facing very rough times. Former Colombian, Bolivian leaders warn
of looming humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.Colombia captures
8 members of ELN guerrilla group.Floods in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay
displace tens of thousands.Argentina floods
force thousands to evacuate.
Eastern U.S. sees warm Christmas,
winter storm looms for Plains.
Brazil warns against pregnancy
due to spreading virus.Arson suspected at
Bill Clinton's birthplace.TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US lawmakers press for Christians
to be included in ISIS genocide designation.Russia ready to share information on Islamic State,
expects same in return — General Staff.Exclusive: Islamic State sanctioned organ harvesting
in document taken in U.S. raid.This map shows how much territory
ISIS has lost this year. ISIL lost 5,000 square miles of territory
largely in northern Syria, Iraq.Russia, U.S. agree on who to call
major terrorist groups in Middle East: RIA.An under-the-radar European country
has become a 'recruitment hotbed' for ISIS.ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Oil above $37 as U.S. supply tightens,
still near 11-year low.IMF predicts
oil price slump to $20 in 2016.
Low oil prices are
double-edged sword for global economy.US Federal Reserve will
pay banks $12 billion in 2016.China establishes Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
to rival World Bank. China says AIIB up and
running early in the new year.
