Pope says Christmas message of peace is sorely needed

Published: 2007-12-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI welcomed Christmas as a "day of great hope" and said its message of peace is sorely needed in a world beset by war, poverty and injustice. In his Christmas day blessing delivered from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the pope appealed for an end to "the grim sound of arms" in Iraq, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Sudan's Darfur and other "crisis situations that are frequently forgotten." "May the child Jesus bring relief to those who are suffering and may he bestow upon political leaders the wisdom and courage to seek and find humane, just and lasting solutions," he said. The night before, celebrating midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the pope said Christmas should be experienced as a feast of "restored creation" in a spoiled and polluted world. That will happen when modern men and women make time and space for God, he said. The papal Mass and blessing were broadcast live to millions of people around the world, and the pope pronounced Christmas greetings in 63 languages.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .