Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message has urged “all people of all nations” to find courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions” plaguing the world,

As Christians around the world celebrated Christmas on Wednesday, Pope Francis called for peace, asking that cease-fires be put in place where wars rage, and that world leaders forgive the debts “that burden the poorest countries.

Christmas revellers around the world donned red and white Santa hats, offered meals to the homeless and lit candles on Wednesday, as Pope Francis launched observation of the global holiday with a sombre mass in the Vatican.