Pope Francis' Christmas Message

Pope Francis

Pope Francis' Christmas speech conveyed the values of peace and justice. This is a ceremonial speech's ultimate goal: to convey values. In turn, the Pope used these values to support public policies.

Here are a few highlights, from the Vatican's official English translation:

The Pope began with the Christmas story, and quoted Isaiah 9:6, familiar to most of us from Handel's Messiah: "For to us a child is born . . . Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Peace became Francis' theme. He denied that Jesus' power was "the power of this world, based on might and wealth; it is the power of love." He continued by quoting Luke 2:14: "And on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" The Pope gave this practical application: "Peace to men and women in the war-torn land of Syria, where far too much blood has been spilled."

Continuing, he urged, "May Israelis and Palestinians have the courage and the determination to write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way to the will to build together a future of mutual understanding and harmony." He prayed for peace in Nigeria, South Sudan, and the Congo. He called for peace in Ukraine, "where there is urgent need for a common desire to bring relief tot he civil population and to put into practice the commitments which have been assumed." And so forth. He called for peace for the victims of terrorism.

Pointedly he called for "peace to exiles, migrants, and refugees, to all those who in our day are subject to human trafficking." When too many Christians in the United States openly seek to oppress immigrants, sometimes in the name of Christianity, this message might have special impact. Yet, although this controversy was surely in the back of the Pope's mind, he did not criticize people with whom he disagreed, but instead set forth an entirely positive message for a troubled world. The Pope ended: "Merry Christmas to all!"

Pleading for Christians and non-Christians alike, Pope Francis did not call for exclusion of non-believers. Although he deplored the lack of peace, he did not accentuate divisions; instead; he urged healing. He did not complain about a make-believe war on Christmas; instead, he rued the world's failure to live up to the Christ child's fundamental message: a message of peace. He gave a speech for unity, not division.

Good ceremonial (epideictic) speeches aim at values; these values in turn imply actions and policies. The Pope did not make arguments for his policies; instead, he tied them to Jesus' values. A powerful method.

I wish a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate that holiday, and Happy Holidays for everyone.


If you're interested, I posted last January about New Year's speeches. 



Image: Pope Francis, edited from a historical White House photo