Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message and blessing, called “Urbi et Orbi,” which translates to “for the city and the world.” On solemn occasions, the Pope makes special addresses “to the City of Rome and the world.” Pope Francis emphasized the need for peace in the world during his Christmas message, which he delivered on December 25, 2022. He listed the various armed conflicts taking place around the globe and urged political world leaders to become instruments of peace.
The Pope’s December 25, 2022 message stated:
• “On this day, let us learn from the Prince of Peace and, starting with those who hold political responsibilities, commit ourselves to making food solely an instrument of peace.”
• “Our time is experiencing a grave famine of peace also in other regions and other theatres of this third world war.”
• “Let us also see the faces of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who are experiencing this Christmas in the dark and cold, far from their homes due to the devastation caused by ten months of war.”
• “Let us think of Syria, still scarred by a conflict that has receded into the background but has not ended.”
• “Let us beseech the Lord that there, in the land that witnessed his birth, dialogue and efforts to build mutual trust between Palestinians and Israelis may resume.”
• “May the Christ Child help Lebanon in particular, so that it can finally rebound with the help of the international community and with the strength born of fraternity and solidarity.”
• “May the light of Christ illuminate the region of the Sahel, where peaceful coexistence between peoples and traditions is disrupted by conflict and acts of violence.”
• “May that light lead to a lasting truce in Yemen and to reconciliation in Myanmar and Iran, and an end to all bloodshed.”
• “May it inspire the political authorities and all people of good will in the Americas to attempt to calm the political and social tensions experienced by various countries.”
• “I think in particular of the people of Haiti who have been suffering for a long time.”
• “Especially in Afghanistan and in the countries of the Horn of Africa.” [1]
It truly is a tragedy that Pope Francis lacks any moral or biblical reference to the conflicts in our world. How is it possible that in his Christmas message, he can completely ignore the greatest massacre of human beings, abortion? Nothing has been said about the greatest genocide against children, multiplied by the numerous laws that support abortion. Why does the Pope, a so-called religious leader, not denounce the attack against the unborn, the assault on the family, and the gender confusion that is destroying the faith? Why is he silent about these tragedies?
The truth is that almost every church leader today, regardless of their affiliation with a particular religion, needs to return to preaching biblical doctrine rather than worldly, secular messages. It’s not just Pope Francis. Political propaganda has replaced truth, and this is part of the reason why sin and war will keep growing, since churches are no longer the conscience of our morally bankrupt societies.
No matter how we look at the state of the world today, our planet faces a gloomy future. We undoubtedly live in a time of political, economic, and social crises, which dominate the news every day. All the signs foretell that our civilization is headed for war. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to us because God has already revealed both the events and reasons for the end times. The following verses are extremely relevant and accurate to the times we live in. The following can apply to any major city in any nation around the world:
“Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.” Isaiah 59:7-9.
The context here shows that confusion, chaos, and war will dominate the world as a result of our departure from God and His ways:
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16.
Sin robs the world of peace because it separates people from God and keeps them in darkness and distress. What a tragedy that we live in a time when so many nations have made the decision to eradicate God and biblical truth from their very thoughts. We believe that the world’s current state of misery and gloom is a direct result of this departure from the Lord and His truth.
“Great peace have they which love thy law.” Psalm 119:165.
Unfortunately, the world has rejected both the Lawgiver and His law. Instead, they have embraced the man of sin and are seeking to bring peace through lawlessness. Numerous indicators today reveal that the end of the world is almost upon us. Never imagine for a second that God will permit the current reign of sin and suffering to last forever.
“Those who teach the people to regard lightly the commandments of God sow disobedience to reap disobedience. Let the restraint imposed by the divine law be wholly cast aside, and human laws would soon be disregarded. Because God forbids dishonest practices, coveting, lying, and defrauding, men are ready to trample upon His statutes as a hindrance to their worldly prosperity; but the results of banishing these precepts would be such as they do not anticipate. If the law were not binding, why should any fear to transgress? Property would no longer be safe. Men would obtain their neighbor’s possessions by violence, and the strongest would become richest. Life itself would not be respected … the civilized world would become a horde of robbers and assassins; and peace, rest, and happiness would be banished from the earth” (Great Controversy, 585).
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He’s doing his job. I wish our church would be more enthusiastic about doing theirs’.