This week, Francis visited Benedict, who lives in an apartment inside the Vatican, and offered a private Christmas greeting. Last Christmas, it was Benedict who appeared on the central balcony, offering an address that had some overlapping themes with Francis’ message. Benedict, too, called for an end to violence in Syria, while also speaking out for religious freedom in China.

Francis broadened his peace message to call for an end to violence in Syria, as well as in the Central African Republic, where Christians and Muslims have clashed in a country that he described as “often forgotten and overlooked.” He cited the rising tensions and violence in South Sudan, calling for “social harmony,” and he asked for a “favorable outcome” to peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis. He also renewed his focus on the plight of migrants, some the victims of human trafficking, others fleeing war and poverty to try to reach Europe.

Francis called attention to victims of natural disasters, especially Philippine typhoon victims, while renewing his call to protect the environment, which he said was “frequently exploited by human greed and rapacity.”