Pope Francis gave his Urbi et Orbi message, which means “to the city and the world”, to the faithful outside St Peter’s Basilica and around the globe on Christmas Day. “We pray to the Lord that the agreement reached in the United Nations may succeed in halting as quickly as possible the clash of arms in Syria and in remedying the extremely grave humanitarian situation of its suffering people,” he said. “It is likewise urgent that the agreement on Libya be supported by all, so as to overcome the grave divisions and violence afflicting the country.” He said: “May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples. “My thoughts also turn to those affected by brutal acts of terrorism, particularly the recent massacres which took place in Egyptian airspace, in Beirut, Paris, Bamako and Tunis.” Francis continued: “To our brothers and sisters who in many parts of the world are being persecuted for their faith, may the Child Jesus grant consolation and strength.” He called for “peace and concord among the peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and South Sudan” and expressed his “closeness” to victims of human trafficking and migrants and refugees forced to flee conflicts in their home countries. May our closeness today be felt by those who are most vulnerable” he said, including abused women and child soldiers.