Pope Francis on Monday recommended jettisoning life's "useless baggage" in 2018, including what he called "empty chatter" and banal consumerism, and focusing instead on building a peaceful and welcoming world, particularly for refugees and migrants. "I desire, yet again, to speak for these our brothers and sisters who invoke for their future a horizon of peace," Francis said. Francis in his appeal Monday said of refugees and migrants: "Let us not extinguish the hope in their hearts. He called for all to make commitments "to assure the refugees, the migrants, everyone, a future of peace." The pope then prayed that people "work in this new year with generosity to realize a world that is more united and welcoming."

Source: CBC News January 01, 2018 12:13 UTC