VATICAN CITY, Rome — Ahead of the celebration of the Jubilee Year beginning this year on December 25, Pope Francis is calling for an end to death penalty and capital punishment even as he urged wealthy countries to forgive the debts of poor nations and use arms funds to fight hunger and climate change instead of initiating wars.

In a message to all nations, the Pope strongly expressed opposition to the continuing imposition of death penalty in some countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and a number of states in America where heinous crimes are punished with lethal execution.

Francis also asked for the diversion of a fixed percentage of arms spending to a global fund that would be used to fight hunger and climate change. He likewise asked rich countries to cancel the international debt of developing nations as concrete ways to usher in a new era of hope.

"Sporadic acts of philanthropy are not enough. Cultural and structural changes are necessary, so that enduring change may come about," the pontiff enthused in his message for World Peace Day 2025.

Francis offered his "cordial good wishes for the New Year to the heads of state and government, to the leaders of international organizations, to the leaders of the various religions and to every person of goodwill," presenting three proposals for bringing about "much-needed changes" during the Jubilee Year, which focuses on 'Pilgrims of Hope'.