SOCIETY
Pope urges end to conflicts in Christmas message
Baku, December 25 (AZERTAC). Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his hope for an end to conflicts around the world in his traditional Christmas message from the Vatican.
Addressing a large crowd from the balcony of St Peter`s Basilica, he called for peaceful co-existence in the Middle East.
Earlier, the Pope prayed for peace as he delivered his traditional Christmas Eve homily.
At a Mass at St Peter`s, he prayed for God to "implant peace in our hearts".
Security was tight. Last year at the same Mass a woman jumped the barriers and lunged at the Pope, causing him to stumble.
The Pope delivers the Urbi et Orbi - meaning to the city (Rome) and to the world - address twice a year, at Easter and Christmas.
An estimated 100,000 people had gathered in the square outside St Peter`s - wet from rain - to hear the sermon.
He told Roman Catholics in China to face with courage the limits on their freedom.
He also called for political leaders to show solidarity with Christians throughout the Middle East, saying that those living in Iraq faced persecution.
Earlier, plain-clothed security men followed the Pope as he walked in procession up the central nave of the basilica.
The 83-year-old pontiff stopped twice to bless babies held up to him.
About 10,000 people attended the Mass.
The Vatican had reviewed its security procedures after last year`s incident. The same woman had also attempted to throw herself at the Pope at the Mass a year earlier.