Rome, 1 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Pope Francis underlined the important role of women and mothers in the Church, society and for world peace in a mass on New Year's Day.

"The world needs to look to mothers and women to find peace, to break out of the spirals of violence and hatred and to regain a human gaze and a seeing heart," said the head of the Catholic Church in his homily on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on New Year's Day in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The Catholic Church also traditionally celebrates the World Day of Peace on January 1.

The head of the Catholic Church celebrated Mass and gave his homily starting from 10 am (0900 GMT).

In view of the wars and conflicts in the world, the 87-year-old pontiff told around 7,000 faithful gathered in St Peter's Basilica, "Our peaceless times need a mother who unites the human family once again."

The faithful should entrust the new year to Our Lady and hope for God's consolation, he said.

Furthermore, every society must respect and protect women and allow them to come into their own, Francis said at the New Year's Mass. "Anyone who harms even one woman is blaspheming God, who was born of a woman."

The Church also needs women and mothers in order to recognize its feminine face and become a Church of care and service as well as patience and maternal courage, he said.

On New Year's Eve, the Pontiff called for gratitude and hope. At the solemn thanksgiving vespers in St Peter's Basilica with the traditional hymn of praise "Te Deum," ahead of the turn of the year.

The traditional Angelus prayer is due to follow New Year's Mass at 12 noon. Francis is expected to address the faithful in St Peter's Square from the window of the Apostolic Palace. Thousands of people are expected to be present for the prayer.

Photo: MIA file photo