In Christmas message, Pope Francis asks Christians to do this one thing...

Pope Francis has condemned the treatment of women and others under the heel of the Islamic State during his Christmas address to the world. Pope Francis also called upon all Christians, asking them not to be indifferent to the suffering of the world's people, particularly the victims of the Islamic State.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Pope Francis spoke out against the Islamic State during his Christmas address to the world, asking Christians not to be indifferent to the suffering of others.

The greatest challenge Pope Francis faces is the apathy of others, including millions within the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church contains 1.2 billion people and is found in every nation of the world. Its infrastructure is more comprehensive than even that of the United Nations and in many parts of the world it is the Church that provides the only social services to millions.

Act now to provide for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Don't be indifferent!

With such expanse and raw ability, the Church, reliant on donations, is only as effective as its members in the pews. Although Pope Francis hopes to end world hunger by 2025, and he wants to protect people, especially persecuted Christians in the Middle East, for all of his charity, he is powerless without the help of fellow Catholics.

This is why Pope Francis took to the airwaves and internet last year, calling all Catholics to a sustained campaign of 'Prayer and Action' to rid the world of its ills. His chief target has been hunger itself, but within the past year new threats have emerged.

Church resources are stretched very thin. Pope Francis has ordered the sale and monetization of Church property including the sale of all gifts given to him since he took office. The proceeds from these activities have been sent to aid the less fortunate.

Despite his personal generosity, the Catholic Church continues to battle famine in Sudan, across the Middle East, while providing food, medical care, and education around the globe.

On Dec. 5, it was announced that the United Nations would be ending food shipments to the Middle East, impacting some 1.7 million refugees just as winter starts. Now facing a lack of food as well as blankets, warm clothes, and other basic supplies, the refugee population is suffering beyond all previous experience.

Millions of people around the world would not be alive if not for the generosity of the Catholic Church and its 1.2 billion members who donate generously to support various humanitarian missions. As a Catholic, you are tasked with helping your neighbors, including those in far-flung lands, troubled by the threat of genocide, hunger and cold.

Every human life matters.

Join Pope Francis now in 'Prayer and Action' to ease the suffering of millions around the globe. He can't do it without you.

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