Vatican City, Jan 1, 2016 / 05:38 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The miseries of the world are powerless against the mercy of God, whose entrance into history brought about a new era for humanity, Pope Francis said at the opening Mass of the new year.

“History does not determine the birth of Christ; rather, his coming into the world enables history to attain its fullness,” the Pope said in his homily Friday morning in Saint Peter’s Basilica.