Pope Francis’ reference to the Cyprus problem in his Christmas message is “more proof” of the international interest in the matter that highlights the need to resume negotiations, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Thursday.

In the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (for the city and for the world), the Pope described the launch of the Jubilee year 2025 as a symbol of God’s mercy that breaks down walls of division and dispels hatred.

“May the Jubilee be an opportunity to tear down all walls of separation: the ideological walls that so often mark political life, and also physical walls, such as the division that has affected the island of Cyprus for 50 years now and has rent its human and social fabric.

“It is my hope that a mutually agreed solution will be found, a solution that can put an end to the division in full respect for the rights and dignity of all the Cypriot communities,” the Pontiff added.

Letymbiotis told CNA that the Pope’s inclusion in his Christmas message of a reference for a reunified Cyprus and the promotion of peaceful coexistence “sends a strong message of support for the efforts we are making to find a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.”

He specified “the recognition of the importance for a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus problem by an international figure like the Pope enhances the international visibility of the issue and highlights the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, especially at this time in view of the upcoming multilateral meeting.”

“We welcome the Pope’s statement,” he said, adding that “we will continue with the same dedication to work towards building a peaceful and united Cyprus, with respect to human rights and the international law, always in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, within the agreed framework.”

Pope Francis urged “people of all nations” to find the courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome the divisions” that are afflicting the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, and from Africa to Asia.

Francis, who has recently grown more critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it last week as “cruelty”, also renewed his call for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war and for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

He called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “extremely grave” and asked for “the doors of dialogue and peace (to) be flung open”.

Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thousands of people in the square below, the pope said: “May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine!” He also called for “gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace”.