A day after celebrating Christmas at the Vatican, Pope Francis emerges to mark the Feast of St. Stephen.
In front of thousands in St. Peter's Square, the Pope calls for religious freedom.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS, SAYING:
"Let us also pray that thanks to the sacrifice of the martyrs of today, and there are many of them, a large number, we may see a strengthened commitment to recognize and concretely achieve religious freedom in every part of the world for it is an indisputable right of every person."
This Christmas week, the Pope has already delivered multiple messages of religious tolerance.
He's also condemned the "brutal persecution" of minorities by Islamic State insurgents.
On Friday, he renews the call to pray for those victims.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS, SAYING:
"I would like to say to each one of them: if you carry this cross with love, you have entered into the mystery of Christmas, you are in the heart of Chri
