VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, laying out his hopes Wednesday for the new year, urged people to work for a world where everyone accepts each other’s differences and where enemies recognize that they are brothers.
“We are all children of one heavenly father. We belong to the same human family and we share a common destiny,” Francis said, speaking from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, jammed with tens of thousands of faithful, tourists and Romans.
“This brings a responsibility for each to work so that the world becomes a community of brothers who respect each other, accept each other in one’s diversity, and take care of one another,” the pope said.
Setting aside his prepared text for a moment, he expressed impatience with violence in the world. “What is happening in the heart of man? What is happening in the heart of humanity?” Francis asked. “It’s time to stop.”
He told the crowd this reflection was inspired by a letter he received from a man — “maybe one of you” — who lamented that there are “so many tragedies and wars in the world.”
“I, too, believe that it will be good for us to stop ourselves in this path of violence and search for peace,” Francis said.
He also expressed hope that “the gospel of brotherhood speak to every conscience and knock down the walls that impede enemies from recognizing that they are brothers.”