As people around the globe ushered to 2024, leaders from various countries have pledged to grow their economies and fight for their territories.

Their messages starkly contrast with Pope Francis's New Year salutation from the Vatican, where he called for peace and healing with the help of technology.

The 87-year-old pontiff said: "It is my prayer at the start of the New Year that the rapid development of forms of artificial intelligence will not increase cases of inequality and injustice all too present in today’s world, but will help put an end to wars and conflicts, and alleviate many forms of suffering that afflict our human family."

US President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection, wished Americans a "healthy, happy and safe New Year.”

“But beyond that, I hope that they understand that we’re in a better position than any country in the world to lead the world. And we’re coming back and it’s about time," he said during a pre-taped ABC interview with popular media personality Ryan Seacrest.

Boasting US job gains during his term, Bided added: “People are in a position to be able to make a living now and they’ve created a lot of jobs for over 14 million."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meanwhile insisted his government would continue "getting the economy growing" by reducing debt, cutting taxes, and rewarding hard work, building secure supplies of energy here at home, backing British business, and delivering world-class education.

He also took pride in his party's achievements in 2023. "We’ve cut inflation in half. We’ve delivered the biggest business tax cut in modern British history."

In Japan, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stressed he wants to make 2024 a year for Japan to "break completely free of the deflationary mindset and orientation towards shrinking through cost-cutting."

He said pay increases that outpace rising prices must be achieved, and that he will ask the business community to grant higher wage hikes than last year.

The Japanese government will also implement fixed-sum reductions in income and resident taxes in June, Kishida said.

On the other hand, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his claim that Taiwan would “surely be reunified” with China, ahead of Taiwan’s crucial January 13 elections that will determine the island’s cross-strait policy for the next four years.

“We will continue to act on the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing the 'new' before abolishing the 'old,'” Xi also said.

Israel, which is waging a war against Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups, will continue to fight "until the goals of the war have been achieved, especially the elimination of Hamas and the release of all our hostages," said President Benjamin Netanyahu.

"We are not relenting – even for a moment – in our efforts to bring our hostages back home, even at this very moment," he added.

He also claimed that they have the "upper hand," saying Israel's soldiers are "fighting with force and new methods, above and below ground."

Russian President Vladimir Putin also delivered a brief New Year's message, praising the military for their courage amid Moscow's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

“To all those who are on duty, on the frontline of the fight for truth and justice, you are our heroes. Our hearts are with you," he said. “We have repeatedly proved that we are able to solve the most difficult tasks and we will never back down, because there is no force that can separate us."

Their messages starkly contrast with Pope Francis's New Year salutation from the Vatican, where he called for peace and healing with the help of technology.

The 87-year-old pontiff said: "It is my prayer at the start of the New Year that the rapid development of forms of artificial intelligence will not increase cases of inequality and injustice all too present in today’s world, but will help put an end to wars and conflicts, and alleviate many forms of suffering that afflict our human family."