Pope Francis Asks Atheists to Join Efforts for Peace in Christmas Message

Pope Francis used the first Christmas address of his papacy to make a broad call for global peace and an end to violence in Syria and parts of Africa, urging atheists and followers of other religions to join together in this common cause. On a windy Christmas Day, Francis spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as a throng estimated at 70,000 people listened below.