In Christmas message, Britain's King Charles wishes 'peace on Earth and goodwill to all'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - In his annual Christmas Day message, Britain's King Charles III on Monday wished a "Christmas of peace on Earth and goodwill to all today and always."

"And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other," Charles said in his message, which was broadcast to the nation.

Calling such values "universal," he said that "they remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbors, and to seek their good as we would our own."

Service to others, he said, "is but one way of honoring the whole of creation" and is a "manifestation of the divine."

"To care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none," said Charles, adding: "We care for the Earth for the sake of our children’s children."

"I wish you a Christmas of peace on Earth and goodwill to all, today and always," he added.

Charles ascended to the throne on Sept. 8, 2022 following the death of his long-serving mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

This May in the country's first coronation service in nearly 70 years, he was crowned at Westminster Abbey.