Catholic world leader, Pope Francis has used his first mass of the new year on Friday (January 1) to urge the world to combat a "torrent of misery", injustice and violence in the world by overcoming all indifference to the many who are suffering.
The pontiff gave his message in a solemn Mass for about 10,000 faithful in St. Peter's Basilica. It came on the day the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church marks its annual World Day of Peace.
How can the fullness of time have come when 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?" he asked his followers. "A torrent of misery, swollen by sin, seems to contradict the fullness of time brought by (Jesus) Christ."
He urged his listeners to, "Immerse ourselves in this ocean, to let ourselves be reborn, to overcome the indifference which blocks solidarity, and to leave behind the false neutrality which prevents sharing."
Francis said that while the negative signs in the world could lead some to think that God is absent, people should see God in the compassion that exists in many people and places.
The 79-year-old looked and sounded well despite having made many public appearances over the Christmas and New Year season.
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