Poor Countries’ Debt Should Be Forgiven: Pope Francis
Pope Francis, Dec. 31, 2024. X/ @reinadelapazwlo
January 1, 2025 Hour: 8:52 am
He emphasized debt forgiveness as a key aspect of the Jubilee, a celebration set to take place in 2025.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis called on countries with a Christian tradition to cancel or reduce the debts of the world’s poorest nations. He used the occasion of the Angelus prayer for the New Year, which coincides with the World Day of Peace, to make this appeal on behalf of impoverished nations.
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“I encourage the governments of countries with a Christian tradition to set a good example by canceling or significantly reducing the debts of the poorest nations,” Pope Francis urged from the Apostolic Palace, addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The pontiff emphasized debt forgiveness as a key aspect of the Jubilee, a celebration set to take place in 2025, during which the Church grants indulgences or forgiveness of sins.
In this context, the pope called for this forgiveness to be “translated to the social level, so that no person, no family, and no people” is burdened by the weight of debt.
On the World Day of Peace, celebrated today, Francis also expressed gratitude for “all the initiatives of prayer for peace.” Additionally, he referenced ongoing wars around the world and reiterated the urgent need for their resolution.
“I express my most sincere gratitude to all those working toward dialogue and negotiations in the many conflict zones worldwide. We pray for an end to combat on all fronts and for us to finally focus on peace and reconciliation,” he said.
Pope Francis once again referred to places currently affected by conflict. “I have seen images and photographs of the destruction caused by war. War always destroys, it is always a defeat, always.”
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
