Pope Benedict XVI delivered his
traditional Christmas Day message with an impassioned
appeal for peace in the Middle East and Africa.
The huge crowd in Saint Peter's square cheered as the bands played the Vatican and Italian anthems. Pope Benedict appeared at the
balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica to deliver his
traditional "Urbi et Orbi" message to the City of Rome and to the World, Pope Benedict addressed the faithful and issued a strong
appeal for peace in the Middle East and in Africa.
"May the divine light of Bethlehem
radiate throughout the Holy Land where the horizon seems once again bleak for Israelis and Palestinians," the pope said.
The pope mentioned Lebanon and Iraq in particular
calling for an end to the clashes and violence. He also called for peace in Zimbabwe, Congo, Darfur and Somalia.
The people of Zimbabwe, the pope said, have been trapped for all too long in a political and social
crisis which sadly keeps worsening.
Pontiff expresses greetings in many languages
Pope Benedict said he hoped Christmas would bring hope to those suffering from wars, terrorism,
injustice and poverty. He then sent his Christmas greetings to the faithful all over the world in 64 different languages.
On Wednesday night, thousands turned out in Saint Peter's Basilica for the Pope's Christmas Midnight Mass. In his homily, Benedict issued an
appeal for children who are abused, forced to live on the street or serve as soldiers.
He called on the faithful to help children who are denied the love of their parents and those who are exploited across the world.
Benedict recalled the
plight of "street children who do not have the blessing of a family home." He also spoke of minors who are victims of the industry of pornography.
During midnight mass, the pope also turned his thoughts to the Holy Land, which he is expected to visit next May. He prayed for an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
教皇圣诞节祝词呼吁中东非洲和平
教皇本笃十六世按照传统发表了
圣诞节讲话,并充满激情地呼吁中东和非洲实现和平。
*关注世界各地的和平*
圣彼得广场上人山人海,人们欢呼雀跃,乐队演奏了梵蒂冈和意大利国歌。教皇本笃十六世出现在圣彼得大教堂的阳台上,按照传统向罗马市和全世界发表圣诞祝词,教皇向信徒讲话,并强烈呼吁在中东和非洲实现和平。
教皇本笃十六世说,愿伯利恒的圣洁光辉普照巴勒斯坦圣地,那里的气氛似乎将以色列人和巴勒斯坦人再次带入黑暗中。
教皇特别提到黎巴嫩和伊拉克,呼吁结束冲突和暴力。他还呼吁津巴布韦、刚果、达尔富尔和索马里实现和平。
教皇本笃十六世说,一直以来,津巴布韦人民深受政治和社会危机的煎熬,不幸的是,这场危机在继续恶化。
教皇本笃说,他希望
圣诞节会给那些忍受战争、恐怖主义、不公正和贫困的人们带去希望。他接着用64种不同的语言向全世界的信徒发出了圣诞祝词。
*关注受到虐待的儿童*
星期三晚间,数千人来到圣彼得大教堂参加听教皇主持的
圣诞节午夜弥撒。教皇在布道时为那些受到虐待、被迫在流浪街头或者当儿童兵的孩子们发出诉求。
教皇本笃十六世要求信徒帮助那些得不到父母之爱以及那些遭到剥削利用的孩子们。
教皇提醒信徒不要忘记那些无家可归的流浪儿的处境。他还谈到成为色情业牺牲品的那些未成年人。
教皇在午夜弥撒中还表达了对耶路撒冷圣地的关心,他计划明年5月出访那个地区。教皇本笃十六世为以色列人和巴勒斯坦人之间结束冲突而祈祷。
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