Pope's Christmas message: Stop atrocities and civil wars in Syria and Libya

Pope Francis called on the world in his Christmas message to unite to end the atrocities of Islamist militants causing great suffering around the world, reports the Patria News Agency.

In his traditional Urbi et Orbi message, delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis appealed for an end to the civil wars in Syria and Libya.

"May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed towards ending the atrocities that in these countries, as well as in Iraq, Yemen, and sub-Saharan Africa, are still claiming numerous victims, causing great suffering, and not even sparing the historical and cultural heritage of entire peoples," said Pope Francis, clearly alluding to the militants of the Islamic State.

The Pope condemned the recent "brutal terrorist attacks," including the November 13 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and the downing of a Russian plane over Sinai on October 31, which killed 224 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for these attacks.

"Only God's grace can free humanity from the manifold forms of evil, sometimes monstrous, that are caused by selfishness," he said. "God's grace can convert hearts and show humanity a way out of situations that seem insurmountable."

The Pope also called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians in the land where Jesus was born.

"Where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and war. Yet, precisely where the Son of God incarnate came into the world, tensions and violence still prevail, and peace is a gift for which we must continue to pray fervently and build it," he said.