Pope Francis calls for the world to unite against 'brutal acts of terrorism' in Christmas message

Children from countries which Pope Francis has visited as Pontiff were invited to watch him speak inside the grand 16th Century church - one of the largest in the world. They left bouquets around a statue of the baby Jesus which lay near the central alte. 

Pope Francis used his Christmas message this morning to call for peace in a world torn apart by 'brutal acts of terrorism' while thanking the generosity of countries for showing mercy and offering shelter to desperate refugees.

He said: 'Only God's mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst.'

'Where God is born, hope is born. He brings hope. Where God is born, peace is born. And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war.'