Pope Francis Mourns the Persecuted and Poor In Holiday Messages

While speaking from the Vatican this holiday season, Pope Francis sought to address those who are less fortunate this Christmas season, pointing to victims of poverty and violence around the world.

The pontiff reflected on those who have little to be joyful for this holiday season, including those attacked by Taliban gunmen at the Army Public School in Peshawar earlier in December, when 148 victims were killed.

Francis also shed light on those suffering from human trafficking, especially children being used as soldiers or in suicide bombing attacks in the Middle East.

"Truly there are so many tears this Christmas," Francis said to a crowd of over 80,000 this week. 

The pope went on to mention the children "made objects of trade and trafficking," as well as "those infants massacred in bomb attacks, also those where the Son of God was born."

"May Christmas bring them hope," the pope added.

The pope also made his final appearance in 2014 this past Wedensday for his New Year's Eve address, in which he focused on the poor and the importance of an "examination of conscience"

"We need a great daily attitude of Christian liberation," the pope said, "to defend the poor rather than defending ourselves from the poor, and to defend the weak rather than defending ourselves from the weak."

The pontiff also asked Christians to reflect on their past year and especially determine if the poor and marginalized were the center of their thoughts on a daily basis.