When a traditional papal address at Christmas travels to realms beyond the predictable script, it is a sign that a rare kind of an impassioned speech is in the offing. This is exactly what happened as Pope Francis, in his first Christmas address from the famous central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, stressed on issues that plague this planet the most — violence, absence of peace and the need for tolerance towards fellow human beings.
“True peace is not a balance of opposing forces,” he said. “It is not a lovely facade which conceals conflicts and divisions. Peace calls for daily commitment.” Gently enunciated, invested with succour and shining with humility, Pope Francis’ message is of abiding relevance in a world that is fragmenting with disturbing haste, perpetuating intolerance and condemning the commitment to peace to vagrancy. His address highlighted the many pressing problems that need immediate and unflagging attention in today’s world — among them, the shocking plight of children in war-torn countries, the scourge of child-trafficking, issues affecting Africa and help for typhoon victims of the Philippines.
Pope Francis also had a message for non-Christians. He urged them to participate in the desire and spread of peace, as the love for peace in itself can be a uniting factor for mankind. The address is being seen as a breath of fresh air that will only increase Pope Francis’ legendary popularity as he eschews stridency and reaches out with simplicity and humility.