'I hope for a better world': Pope calls for peace in Syria and Africa during his Christmas Day message.

Pope Francis today called for peace in the land of Jesus' birth, Syria and Africa, as well as for the dignity of migrants and refugees fleeing misery and conflict. 

Francis spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas Day to tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims and Romans in the square below. 

Greetings: Pope Francis waves as he delivers a 'Urbi et Orbi' - to the city and world - message from the basilica's balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

He said he was joining in the song of Christmas angels with all those hoping 'for a better world', and with those who 'care for others, humbly'.

Christmas Day message: Pope Francis delivers his traditional Christmas 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis wears the red stole as he delivers his 'Urbi et Orbi' message which also called for the dignity of migrants and refugees fleeing misery and conflict

 Pope Francis called for a better world, with peace for the land of Jesus' birth, for Syria and Africa

The Pope called for dialogue to end the conflict in South Sudan and all wars, saying everyone should strive to be personal peacemakers

He said: 'True peace is not a balance of opposing forces. It is not a lovely 'façade' which conceals conflicts and divisions. Peace calls for daily commitment, starting from God's gift, from the grace which he has given us in Jesus Christ.

'Looking at the Child in the manger, our thoughts turn to those children who are the most vulnerable victims of wars, but we think too of the elderly, to battered women, to the sick. Wars shatter and hurt so many lives.

'Too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fueling hatred and vengeance. Let us continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering, and to enable the parties in conflict to put an end to all violence and guarantee access to humanitarian aid.'

He then went on to talk about the conflicts in Africa, saying: 'Grant peace to the Central African Republic, often forgotten and overlooked. Yet you, Lord, forget no one! And you also want to bring peace to that land, torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty, where so many people are homeless, lacking water, food and the bare necessities of life. Foster social harmony in South Sudan, where current tensions have already caused numerous victims and are threatening peaceful coexistence in that young state.