Pope blasts weapons industry as he makes Christmas appeal for world peace

Pope Francis blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.

Speaking from the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on October 7 and called for the release of hostages.

He also called for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the “appalling harvest of innocent civilians” and urged that humanitarian aid reach those in need.

But he said that Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year.

Francis’ annual Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this year was no different.

He called for governments and people of goodwill in the Americas in particular to address the “troubling phenomenon” of migration and its “unscrupulous traffickers” who take advantage of innocents looking for a better life.

He took particular aim at the weapons industry, which he said was fuelling the conflicts around the globe, with scarcely anyone paying attention.

Francis has frequently described the weapons industry as “merchants of death” and has said that wars today, in Ukraine in particular, are being used to try out new weapons or use up old stockpiles.

He called for peace between Israel and Palestinians, and for the conflict to be resolved “through sincere and persevering dialogue between the parties, sustained by strong political will and the support of the international community”.