Pope Francis condemned this year’s “brutal” religious persecution in the Middle East while urging peace in Nigeria, Ukraine and other world troublespots in his annual Christmas “urbi et orbi” message.

Pope Francis salutes as he gives his traditional Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25, 2014 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Calling also for an end to violence against “vast numbers of children”, and noting last week’s deadly attack in Pakistan, he said: “Truly there are so many tears this Christmas.”