Francis denounces abuses of jihadists

During the mass celebration of the nativity, Pope Francis spoke of the plight of the 150,000 iraqi christians have fled the Islamic State group.

The Pope announced the "brutal persecution" of jihadists in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the world, Nigeria, Pakistan, lamenting in his christmas blessing violence against children within "such indifference". Appearing agitated and indignant, Francis celebrated christmas by sending the message "Urbi et Orbi" ("to the city and the world"), 1.2 billion catholics, amid wars and religious fundamentalism. Without mentioned, the Pope focused on the abuses of the organization Islamic State (IS) : "Our brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria, for too long, suffering the effects of ongoing conflict, with those who belong to other ethnic and religious groups, undergo brutal persecution", he noted.
In the message broadcast by television stations around the world, he spoke of "the many people dispersed, displaced and refugee children, adults and older people, the region and the world". He asked that they "can receive the necessary humanitarian assistance" and "return to their country". Message particular with regard to some 150,000 displaced iraqi christians have fled IS, which had a sad christmas, whether in Baghdad or in camps in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Pope also wished "comfort to families of children killed in Pakistan last week", referring to the more than 130 school children in Peshawar killed by a Taliban commando.
He urged "peace in Nigeria, where again the blood is shed and too many people are unfairly excluded from the affection of their relatives and held hostage and massacred" by the islamist group, Boko Haram.