Pope Francis says world suffering a "famine of peace"

Pope Francis has said the satellite is suffering from a "famine of peace", successful his yearly Christmas Day connection from the Vatican.

He called for a extremity to the "senseless war" successful Ukraine, condemning what helium said was the usage of "food arsenic a weapon" of war.

Ukraine shipped astir 30% of the world's wheat and prices person jumped since the Russian penetration successful February.

It was Pope Francis' 10th Christmas Day code since helium assumed the papacy.

While the warfare successful Ukraine occupied overmuch of his 10-minute speech, helium remarked that "a sedate famine of bid besides successful different regions and different theatres of this Third World War".

He singled retired conflicts and humanitarian crises successful the Middle East, Myanmar, Haiti, and the Sahel portion of Africa.

The pontiff besides prayed for "reconciliation" successful Iran, wherever wide anti-government protests person swept the state for much than 3 months. The protests determination person been met by a crackdown, with much than 500 people, including 69 children, killed, quality rights groups say.

Speaking from a balcony astatine the basilica overlooking St Peter's Square, the 86-year-old Pope lamented the quality outgo of war. He urged not to hide those "who spell bare portion immense amounts of nutrient regular spell to discarded and resources are being spent connected weapons".

"The warfare successful Ukraine has further aggravated this situation, putting full peoples astatine hazard of famine, particularly successful Afghanistan and successful the countries of the Horn of Africa," helium said.

"We cognize that each warfare causes hunger and exploits nutrient arsenic a weapon, hindering its organisation to radical already suffering."

The Pope said "those who clasp governmental responsibilities" should pb the mode to marque nutrient "solely an instrumentality of peace".

His connection was followed by the customary Urbi et Orbi (To the City and to the World) blessing, recited successful Latin and traditionally successful galore different languages arsenic well.