Pope blesses creche figurines, asks children to pray for him

Published: 2003-12-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II blessed figurines of Jesus and asked children to pray for him at Christmas this year. The pope made the remarks Dec. 14 from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter's Square, where hundreds of children held up Christmas creche statuettes of Jesus for an annual papal blessing. "Dear children and young people, when you put your figurine of baby Jesus in the creche, say a prayer for me and for the many people who turn to the pope in their problems," he said. In a brief talk, the pope said Advent was an especially joyful time because it reminds people that God has touched human history.

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