VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI used his Christmas message to the world on Tuesday to say people should never lose hope for peace, even in conflict-riven Syria and in Nigeria, where he spoke of "terrorism" against Christians.
Marking the eighth Christmas season of his pontificate the 85-year-old read his "Urbiet Orbi" (to the city and the world) message to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and to millions of others watching around the world.
Delivering Christmas greetings in 65 languages, Benedict used the Biblical analogy of the "good soil" to underscore his view that the hope represented by Christmas should never die, even in most dire situations.
"This good earth exists, and today too, in 2012, from this earth truth has sprung up! Consequently, there is hope in the world, a hope in which we can trust, even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations."
In his virtual tour of the some of the world's trouble spots, he reserved his toughest words for Syria, Nigeria and Mail.
"Yes, may peace spring up for the people of Syria deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenseless innocent victims, " he said.
" Once again I appeal an end to the bloodshed easier access for the pursuit of a political solution to
the conflict .
Marking the eighth Christmas season of his pontificate the 85-year-old read his "Urbiet Orbi" (to the city and the world) message to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square and to millions of others watching around the world.
Delivering Christmas greetings in 65 languages, Benedict used the Biblical analogy of the "good soil" to underscore his view that the hope represented by Christmas should never die, even in most dire situations."This good earth exists, and today too, in 2012, from this earth truth has sprung up! Consequently, there is hope in the world, a hope in which we can trust, even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations."
In his virtual tour of the some of the world's trouble spots, he reserved his toughest words for Syria, Nigeria and Mail.
"Yes, may peace spring up for the people of Syria deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenseless innocent victims, " he said.
" Once again I appeal an end to the bloodshed easier access for the pursuit of a political solution to
the conflict .