Pope Francis expressed his deep concern over the year 2023, which was marked by violence, death, destruction, and displacement.

He called on all parties involved in armed conflicts around the world to listen to their conscience and seek peace. After the Angelus prayer on Sunday, His Holiness specifically requested prayers for countries that have recently experienced conflicts and criminal acts, including Nigeria, Liberia, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Sudan.

The Pope expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of lives during the Christmas celebration in Plateau State, Nigeria, and prayed for God’s intervention to deliver the country from these horrifying events.

Notably, an attack on Plateau State on Christmas Eve resulted in the death of over 140 people and numerous injuries.

Pope Francis emphasized the need for unwavering prayers for countries suffering from wars, such as Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, and others. Additionally, he extended his condolences to the families affected by the fuel truck explosion in Liberia, where 52 people lost their lives due to a crash and subsequent explosion near the capital, Monrovia.