VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has called on all nations to eliminate the death penalty, to divert a fixed percentage of arms spending to a global fund to fight hunger and climate change, and to cancel the international debt of developing nations as concrete ways to usher in a new era of hope.
"Sporadic acts of philanthropy are not enough. Cultural and structural changes are necessary, so that enduring change may come about," the pope said in his message for World Peace Day 2025.
The message, "Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace," was released Dec. 12 at a Vatican news conference ahead of the Jan. 1 commemoration.
Offering his "cordial good wishes for the New Year to the heads of state and government, to the leaders of international organizations, to the leaders of the various religions and to every person of goodwill," the pope made three proposals for bringing about "much-needed changes" during the Jubilee Year, which focuses on "Pilgrims of Hope."
The proposals, he wrote, are "capable of restoring dignity to the lives of entire peoples and enabling them to set out anew on the journey of hope."
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