In his first-ever New Year's Eve address as Pope, Pope Francis went off-script and called for hope, and an end to the violence, as more than 90,000 people gathered in Rome to hear his address.

According to Time Magazine, "Francis called on people to 'work so that the world becomes a community of brothers who respect each other, accept each other in one's diversity, and take care of one another. We are all children of one heavenly father.'" He said: "We belong to the same human family and we share a common destiny."

At one point, Francis, who has been personally invested in seeking an end to the ongoing civil war in Syria, expressed exasperation with the state of things on Earth. Putting aside his prepared remarks, he said, "What is happening in the heart of man? What is happening in the heart of humanity? It's time to stop."

The Catholic News Agency also reports that has a special request for the papal city of Rome. "The face of a city is like a mosaic whose pieces are all the people that live there," Pope Francis explained.

In the city of Rome, noted the Pontiff, one feels "more strongly this contrast" between the "majestic environment" of artistic beauty and the "social hardships" faced by many living there.

"Rome is a city of unique beauty. Its spiritual and cultural patrimony is extraordinary. Nevertheless, in Rome there are also many persons marked by material and moral misery -- poor, unhappy, suffering -- who challenge the conscience not only of the responsible public officials, but of every citizen."

The ancient city is not only "full of tourists" but also "full of refugees" and those who are unable to have work. No matter what a person's circumstances, urged the Pope, he or she must be treated with "the same attitude of welcome and equality because each person is a bearer of human dignity."

He went on to stress the need for the men and women of Rome not to merely watch life "from afar" or "from a balcony, without getting involved in the many human problems" of those who live in the city."