Pope Francis on Friday condemned the “monstrous evil” that has forced millions of people to flee their homes in war-torn areas during his Christmas address from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The pontiff praised countries that have accepted Syrian refugees for their generosity, and referred to many “brutal acts of terrorism” including those in France, Lebanon, Tunisia and Mali. “Only God’s mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst,” he said, praying for an end to human suffering from war, poverty and extremist attacks.

Pope Francis specifically referred to the Israel-Palestine conflicts calling for the two peoples to resume direct peace talks and come up with a mutually acceptable solution. He also backed international efforts to end the wars in Syria and Libya, and referenced conflicts in Colombia, Yemen, Iraq, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The address took place amid heavy security, with the thousands who entered St Peter’s Square frisked in airport-style procedures.