Pope Francis expressed hope for peace in the Middle East and around the world in his Christmas message on Monday.

The pontiff issued the message during his "Urbi et Orbi" – or "to the city and the world" – a blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Regarding the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, Pope Francis called for an end to military operations and a solution to the desperate humanitarian situation with an opening to the provision of humanitarian aid.

He lamented the victims of both the initial October 7 attack launched by Hamas as well as the continuing loss of life in Gaza at the hands of ongoing military operations.

Francis also called for peace between South and North Korea, hoping that “fraternal bonds will be consolidated on the Korean Peninsula by undertaking processes of dialogue and reconciliation capable of creating the conditions for lasting peace.”

The pope has expressed his interest and attention on the division of the Korean Peninsula on multiple occasions.