Pope Francis Hails Good News Amid 'Torrent Of Misery' In The World In End-Of-Year Message

Pope Francis Says Journalists Must Lead The Way In Fighting Misery

Pope Francis has urged the media to focus on more positive news stories to overcome the "torrent of misery, injustice and violence" in 2015.

In his end-of-year mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on New Year's Eve, Francis spoke of "violence, death, unspeakable suffering by so many innocent people, refugees forced to leaves their countries, men, women and children without homes, food or means of support," and other issues affecting people across the world over the past year.

"Good things don’t make news," he said, before proclaiming that journalists should not allow the positive things in the world to be "obscured by the arrogance of evil".

Pope Francis celebrates the First Vespers and Te Deum prayers in Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

"We ask how long human evil will continue to sow violence and hatred in our world, reaping innocent victims," The Pope said. "We are witnessing hordes of men, women and children fleeing war, hunger and persecution, ready to risk their lives simply to encounter respect for their fundamental rights."

The Pope's sentiment was echoed by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his New Year message, which encouraged members of the British public to sympathise with refugees.

Speaking in a broadcast on BBC One on New Year's Day, Welby said: "Jesus was a refugee - fleeing as a baby with his parents, returning years later to a strange new home."

He also urged British Christians to use "hospitality and love" to defeat "hatred and extremism".

Pope Francis Quotes On The Environment

Pope Francis Quotes On The Environment

Close

What's Hot