Pope Francis used his New Year’s message on Saturday to issue a clarion call for an end to violence against women, saying it was insulting to God, The Irish Times informs.
Francis celebrated a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on the day the Catholic Church marks both the solemnity of Holy Mary Mother of God as well as its annual World Day of Peace.
Francis wove his New Year’s homily around the themes of motherhood and women – saying it was they who kept together the threads of life – and used it to make one of his strongest calls yet for an end to violence against them, The Irish Times informs.
