Pope condemns war, says it is ‘hunger for wealth and power’

Pope Francis has criticised the human quest for wealth and power, during the Christmas eve mass in Vatican city.

According to BBC, the pope said this while addressing worshippers at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday.

Although he did not specifically mention the Russian-Ukraine war during the service, the pontiff said when war takes place the weak are the most affected.

“How many wars have we seen? The main victims are the weak and vulnerable,” the pontiff said. 

The 86-year-old who took over as head of the Catholic Church in 2013, entered the church in a wheelchair and sat at the site of the altar for most of the mass.

“While animals feed in their stalls, men and women in our world, in their hunger for wealth and power, consume even their neighbours, their mothers, and sisters,” he said.

Meanwhile, last week the pontiff said he had submitted his letter of resignation should a health challenge affect his ability to carry out his duties.

According to the pope, he submitted the letter to Tarcisio Bertone, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who was Vatican secretary of state from 2006 to 2013.

“I have already signed my resignation. It was when Tarcisio Bertone was Secretary of State. I signed the resignation and told him: ‘In case of a health impediment or whatever, here is my resignation. You have it’,” he had said.