Pope hopes for peace in Yemen, Syria and other flashpoints

Pope Francis used his Christmas mess Tuesday to appeal for peace in conflict zones such as Syria and Yemen, whose populations face some of world's worst humanitarian crises.

"My wish for a happy Christmas is a wish for fraternity. Fraternity among individuals of every nation and culture. Fraternity among people with different ideas... Fraternity among persons of different religions," he said in his tritional "Urbi and Orbi" (To City and to World) dress in Saint Peter's Square.

pontiff said he hoped a truce in conflict-ravd Yemen would end a devastating war which has killed around 10,000 people since 2015 and pushed 14 million Yemenis to brink of famine.

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"My thoughts turn to Yemen, in hope that truce brokered by international community may finally bring relief to all those children and people exhausted by war and famine," he said.

Pope also evoked war in Syria, from where US President Donald Trump has decided to pull out some 2,000 troops in a controversial decision, arguing that Islamic State has been defeated.

"May international community work decisively for a political solution... so that Syrian people, especially all those who were forced to leave ir own lands and seek refuge elsewhere, can return to live in peace in ir own country," he said.

He also said he hoped for renewed peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians "that can put an end to a conflict that for over 70 years has rent land chosen by Lord to show his face of love."  

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This year, Syria celebrated Christmas for first time ever since Arab Spring in 2011 that unleashed war in country.  capital city of Syria, Damascus was dolled up with bells jingling around city and aestics of Christmas put on display. 

Damascus lit up its tallest Christmas tree in Abbasid Square to commemorate occasion. Christmas music was echoed in city, accompanied by a pare that presented gifts to children and people walking around.