Pope John Paul led Roman Catholics into Christmas yesterday, calling on a world caught up in conflict to heed the message of peace from Jesus' birth.
"Too much blood is still being shed on earth," the ailing 83-year-old pontiff said at a Christmas midnight mass in St Peter's Basilica that once again tested his strength.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The mass at Christendom's largest church marked the Polish pope's 26th Christmas as leader of the world's 1 billion Catholics and was broadcast live to nearly 50 countries.
"Too much violence and too many conflicts trouble the peaceful coexistence of nations," he said, speaking slowly in Italian and reading a homily in a relatively clear voice.
The pope, who has Parkinson's disease, which makes it difficult for him to talk, also seemed alert during the Mass, smiling as he blessed children from around the world who brought him symbolic gifts for the celebration in the packed basilica.
"You come to bring us peace. You are our peace," the pope said in his homily recalling the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
"May the radiance of your birth light up the night of world. May the power of your message of love thwart the proud snare of the evil one. May the gift of your life make us understand ever more clearly the worth of the life of each human being," he said.
The pope opposed the war in Iraq and has expressed deep frustration in the past year over endless violence in the Holy Land and sorrow over acts of terrorism around the world.
During the ceremony, a prayer read by a woman in Arabic urged Christians, Jews and Muslims to put aside "sentiments and acts of hate, vendetta and oppression."
As the voices of the Sistine Chapel choir filled the basilica with singing, the pope, resplendent in gold and white vestments, was wheeled up the center aisle to applause.
The pope, who has leg and hip ailments that limit his ability to walk or stand, celebrated the mass sitting on a special chair that rises to allow him to reach the altar without standing.
Aides said he insisted on celebrating the mass himself on the second-most holy day of the Christian liturgical calendar after Easter.
In recent months the pope, who marked his 25th anniversary in October, has attended ceremonies but delegated a senior cardinal to celebrate services in order to conserve his strength.
For the first time since his election in 1978, the pope is celebrating Christmas with no firm plans for travel in the following year, although there have been some invitations.
He was particularly weak on his last foreign trip, a visit to Slovakia in September, when aides had to read most of his addresses for him.
Later on Thursday the pope will deliver his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) message and blessing from a balcony of the Vatican in St Peter's Square to the crowds below.
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