Pope Calls for Unity in New Year Message

Pope Francis
Pope Francis (photo: BBC)
By Mei ManuelJanuary 2nd, 2019

On Tuesday, Pope Francis's new year message centers on his concern regarding the lack of unity across the world and called against the desires of few to work only for profit that does not benefit all.

In his traditional New Year's Mass in St. Peter's Basilica homily, the pope said, "How much dispersion and solitude there is all around us. The world is completely connected, yet seems increasingly disjointed."

The homily also focused on motherhood, saying that a world that looked to the future while forgetting "a mother's gaze" was short-sighted.

"It may well increase its profits, but it will no longer see others as children. It will make money, but not for everyone. We will all dwell in the same house, but not as brothers and sisters."

2018 has been very turbulent for Pope Francis as the Church faced the largest sex scandal that he was unable to contain. There was also the issue of the resignation of Vatican's spokesman and deputy after disagreements in communications.

The Pope did not make a direct reference to the issue, but called for Catholics to remain rooted to the Church by saying "Unity counts more than diversity."

He also warned that if the people lost their "amazement of faith", the Church is at risk to becoming a "beautiful museum of the past."

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