Pope prays for peace

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the victims of famine, floods and conflict in his Christmas message Sunday as a string of bomb attacks targeting churches in Nigeria killed dozens.

The Pope notably called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria and said he hoped this year's Arab revolts would aid the “common good”. May he bring an end to the violence in Syria, where so much blood has already been shed,” said the 84-year-old pontiff.

The Pope's strongest words were against wars and in favour of reconciliation, particularly between Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land but also in the Great Lakes region of Africa and the new nation of South Sudan.

“May he grant renewed vigour to all elements of society in the countries of north Africa and the Middle East as they strive to advance the common good,” he told thousands of pilgrims at the Vatican in a year that saw the ousters of dictators in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.

AFP