In his first message of 2016, Pope Francis summoned humanity to show compassion and to transcend the apathy that impedes peace in a world that has of late been filled with conflict and suffering.
"Today we celebrate the World Day of Peace, whose theme is 'overcome indifference and win peace,' " the pope told thousands of faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square in an Angelus message.
Earlier on Friday, in his homily at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Francis condemned the "arrogance of the powerful" that demeans the weak, "relegating them to the most squalid outskirts of our world."
Francis did not refer to any particular country, but he has relentlessly urged national governments to succor and support the refugees and migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East that have poured into Europe in recent years.
