Pope condemns violence against women as “insult to God” in New Year’s Day homily

(CNN) – Pope Francis condemned violence against women as an “insult to God” in his New Year’s Day homily at the Vatican.

His address to the faithful during Saturday Mass focused on Mary, the mother of Jesus, inspired by the birth of the child in a humble manger.

“Mary is now in the dark stable in Bethlehem. Yet that’s where she gives God to the world. Others, faced with the scandal of the manger, may feel deeply disturbed. She doesn’t, ”Francis preached. “Let us learn from the Mother of God to have that same attitude: maintain and reflect…. We hope all is well and then like lightning from the blue an unexpected problem pops up. Our expectations collide painfully with reality ”.

She spoke out against violence against women as the homily came to a close, saying: “And since mothers give life and women ‘preserve’ the world, let us all make greater efforts to promote mothers and protect women. women. How much violence is directed against women! Enough! To hurt a woman is to insult God, who created our humanity from women ”.

Francis was marking what the Vatican calls the World Day of Peace, in which popes have made speeches since 1968. January 1 is also the Catholic feast of Mary, the Mother of God.

John Allen and Nicola Ruotolo and Richard Allen Greene contributed to this report.