Pope condemns human 'hunger for wealth and power' at Christmas Eve Mass

Pope Francis has condemned human "hunger for wealth and power" at Christmas Eve Mass in the Vatican, seemingly referring to the war in Ukraine and other conflicts.

"How many wars have we seen!" he said, adding that the main victims were "the weak and the vulnerable".

"I think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice," the pontiff added.

He was addressing worshippers at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Francis, 86, entered the church in a wheelchair, and sat at the site of the altar for most of the Mass on Saturday evening.

"While animals feed in their stalls, men and women in our world, in their hunger for wealth and power, consume even their neighbours, their mothers and sisters," he said.

He did not specifically mention the Russian-Ukraine war during the service.

During the early stages of Russia's full-scale invasion launched on 24 February, the Argentine pontiff was widely criticised in Ukraine for making what many Ukrainians saw as cautious comments, without blaming Russia directly.

In June, he suggested that the war was "somehow either provoked or not prevented".

But the Pope later denounced what he described as atrocities committed by Russian troops.

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On Sunday, Francis is due to deliver his traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) blessing and message from St Peter's Basilica's balcony to Catholics in the square below and around the world.

In the UK, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is expected to say that despite war and conflicts around the world, as well as the cost of living crisis at home, there is "unconquerable hope" in the birth of Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on his recent visit to Ukraine, and looking ahead to his forthcoming visit to South Sudan with the Pope and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion is also expected to appeal to the leaders of both South Sudan and Russia to bring an end to violence and "bring hope to millions".