'Stop ourselves in this path of violence': Pope Francis calls for peace in New Year address

'What is happening in the heart of humanity? It's time to stop'

Pope Francis addresses crowds on New Year's day in St Peter's Square (Getty Images)

Pope Francis has used his New Year address to call on humanity to "stop ourselves in this path of violence and search for peace" in 2014.

The pontiff, newly crowned Time magazine's Person of the Year and Esquire's best-dressed man, urged people to work for a world where everyone accepts each other's differences and where enemies recognise that they are brothers.

Addressing a packed St Peter's Square from his studio window, he said: "We are all children of one heavenly father, we belong to the same human family and we share a common destiny.

"This brings a responsibility for each to work so that the world becomes a community of brothers who respect each other, accept each other in one's diversity, and takes care of one another."

Setting aside his prepared text for a moment, he said: "What is happening in the heart of man? What is happening in the heart of humanity? It's time to stop."

Crowds wave to Francis (Getty Images)

He told the crowd this reflection was inspired by letter he received from a man who lamented that there are "so many tragedies and wars in the world."

"I, too, believe that it will be good for us to stop ourselves in this path of violence and search for peace," Francis said.

Francis speaks from his studio window (AP)