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Pope Appeals for Peace in Middle East
December 25, 2008 8:15 AM
By LAMA HASAN, Correspondent, ABC News London
Overlooking St. Peter’s square, Pope Benedict the XVI delivered his traditional "urbi et orbi" speech, Latin for "to the city and to the world." In more than 60 different languages, the pope wished the faithful a happy Christmas.
Addressing the crowd, the pope said the "heart of the Christian message is meant for all men and women." The pontiff warned that the world was headed toward ruin if selfishness prevailed over solidarity during tough economic times for both rich and poor nations, saying, "If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart."
The pope also spoke of the plight of Zimbabweans who he said were "trapped ... in a political and social crisis".
Celebrations began on Christmas Eve. As darkness fell, the head of the Catholic Church appeared at his studio window to light a candle, a symbol of peace.
That was followed by a midnight mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of worshippers listened to the pope’s homily.
Appealing for children who are abused, forced to live on the street or serve as soldiers, the pope said we must put an end to their suffering.
"Let us think of those street children who do not have the blessing of a family home, of those children who are brutally exploited as soldiers and made instruments of violence instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace," he said.
"Let us think of those children who are victims of the industry of pornography and every other appalling form of abuse, and thus are traumatized to the depths of their soul."
He also made a plea for peace in the land where the faithful believe Jesus Christ was born, the holy land, a land marred by decades of violence.
He called for an end to hatred and violence in the Middle East. The pope said, "Let us think of the place named Bethlehem, of the land in which Jesus lived, and which he loved so deeply. … Let us pray that peace will be established there."
As the pontiff was leaving St Peter’s, a pilgrim leaped toward him but was quickly ushered away by a security guard.
In the traditional birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem, a midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity gathered people from different faiths, including dignitaries and tourists. All were united in prayer.
In Manger Square the festivities continued into the night, with people dancing in the streets.
In a land divided by violence, on this Christmas Day, perhaps there’s new hope for a peaceful new year.
December 25, 2008 in Lama Hasan | Permalink | User Comments (7)
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Why does the media still report on anything these old gay pedophiles say.
Posted by: RGeier | Dec 25, 2008 11:19:43 AM
I would hope the pope is praying for the children that his priests have molested.
Posted by: grumpybumpy | Dec 25, 2008 12:31:06 PM
To RGeier, how could you express Pope Benedict the XVI "old gay pedophiles"?
at X-mas day? I am so surprised with
your twisted view.
Posted by: Janet -NY | Dec 25, 2008 1:25:11 PM
israel should not listen to the catholic pope, ceo. the catholics sided with the nazis and were silent as thousands of jews were displaced and killed.
Posted by: Lawrence | Dec 26, 2008 9:18:52 AM
Amid Peace. If people want peace in the Mideast, let them make peace in the Midnorth, Midsouth, and in the Midwest.
Posted by: Jerry Rosen | Dec 26, 2008 5:50:35 PM
THIS OLD MAN IS A JOKER,ON ONE HAND HE SAYING TO CHRISTIANS TO KILL MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.ON OTHER HAND HE IS ASKING FOR PEACE.CHRIST SAID JEWS WERE THE SONS OF DEVIL,AND THE CHRISTIANS HAVE KILLED 6M MUSLIMS IN LAST 7 YEARS FOR JEWS.
Posted by: M NASEEM | Dec 29, 2008 5:51:59 AM
All of you who talk so much negativity are the ones who help burden our planet with ideology of war. Individuals like you are similar to those who kill the innocent and use religion to martar against others. The Pope cannot change the past and what happened before his term and POPE. The innoncent killing of Jews during World War II was not his doing nor is he responsible for the molesting of innocent children by Catholic priest. He has not nor would he ever condone the terrible incidences that have occured by other individuals. Being so negative leads to ignorance, self fulfillment, and greed. Killing another human being is not a teaching in the bible. Forgive those who presecute you. I'm not devout by any means nor do i like when others force their religious ideas on me, but i do believe that if we can all learn to co-exist the world overall will be a better place for everyone, no matter what their beliefs of religion or atheism.
Posted by: RobNJ | Jan 4, 2009 2:31:47 PM
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