Pope calls for world to unite against 'brutal acts of terrorism' in Christmas message which offered thanks to those countries who have come to the aid of migrants

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. Speaking to tens of thousands of followers from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Francis, 73, issued a Christmas Day peace appeal saying: 'Only God's mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst.'