St. Peter's Square was once again filled with faithful to hear the Urbi et Orbi, the Christmas Mass / Photo taken from Prensa Latina

Vatican City, December 25 (RHC)-- In his traditional message of blessing Urbi et Orbi at the Christmas Mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis called on Sunday to stop wars and end hunger in the world.

The Supreme Pontiff told thousands of faithful present in St. Peter's Square: "On this day, when we enjoy gathering around the table, let us think of the people who go hungry, especially children, while every day great quantities of food are wasted and resources are spent on weapons."

Opening the ceremony at 12:00 local time, the Pope called for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine, Yemen and Syria, among others, a resumption of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as urging "concrete gestures of solidarity to help those who suffer, and to enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence weapons."

"Our time is experiencing a serious lack of peace in other regions, in other theaters of this third world war," the Bishop of Rome continued.  He added that "our thoughts turn to Syria, "still tormented by a conflict that has receded into the background but is not over."

In this "world sick with indifference," Francis asked that "while we savor the joy of being reunited with our loved ones," we should not forget "the families most wounded by life" and those who, in this time of economic crisis, struggle with unemployment and lack the means to meet their basic needs.