Pope Francis Declares Christmas 'A Charade' When The 'Whole World Is At War'

Pope Francis had some bleak words during his Sunday sermon, declaring that the upcoming Christmas holiday will be a “charade,” citing unrest the world over. Francis led Mass at the Casa Santa Maria at the Vatican, just a little more than a week after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris that claimed 130 lives. Other recent events possibly weighing on his mind include the downing of a Russian airliner and multiple suicide bombings in Lebanon.

“We are close to Christmas. There will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes -- all decked out -- while the world continues to wage war,” said Francis. “It’s all a charade. The world has not understood the way of peace. The whole world is at war.”

The pope went on to say that “there are wars today everywhere, and hate.” He added that sometimes war is justified, but “when all the world as it is today, at war, piecemeal though that war may be -- a little here, a little there -- there is no justification.”

He asked his followers to pray for peace. “We should ask for the grace to weep for this world, which does not recognize the path to peace. To weep for those who live for war and have the cynicism to deny it,” he said, adding: “God weeps, Jesus weeps.”

He added that everyone must pray for the “innocent victims” of wars and attacks.