Pope prays for peace in world’s troublespots

Large crowds have braved the rain and cold in St Peter’s Square in Rome.

They came to hear the Pope’s Christmas message.

This year Benedict XVI prayed for the rebirth of peace in the Middle East and asked God to comfort beleaguered Catholic communities around the world.

52 people died in an attack on a church in Baghdad in October, prompting fears of an exodus from the region, while limits on religious freedom in China mean tension has flared between the Vatican and Beijing.

“May the love of God give perseverance to all christian communities who suffer discrimination and persecution and may it inspire political and religious leaders so that they can engage and guarantee the full respect of everyone’s religious freedom.”, the Pope told the assembled crowd.

The Pontiff also urged people in the world’s trouble spots to take hope in the “comforting” message of Christmas.

Events this year have so far been uneventful compared to last year, when a woman jumped a barrier and lunged at the Pope during Christmas Eve Mass.

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