Pope laments 'winds of war' blowing around the worldLamenting "the winds of war" blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula. "The winds of war are blowing in our world and an outdated model of development continues to produce human, societal and environmental decline," the pope said in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and to the world") Christmas message and blessing from the central balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square. GETTY IMAGES The Pope urged that "our hearts not be closed" to suffering of people around the world. The Christmas message has become an occasion for popes to survey suffering in the world and press for solutions. Recalling his recent trip to Bangladesh and Myanmar, the pope urged the international community to work "to ensure that the dignity of the minority groups present in the region is adequately protected".

Source: Stuff December 25, 2017 14:26 UTC