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Pope: May Christmas bring Israeli-Palestinian coexistence

Pope Benedict XVI wishes for world peace during Christmas day address while record number of pilgrims pours into Bethlehem for celebration

Pope Benedict XVI expressed hope that Christmas might bring reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians during his annual Christmas Day speech Saturday.

 

"May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence," Benedict said in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" address (Latin for 'to the city and to the world').

 

In Bethlehem, it was the merriest Christmas in years. Over 100,000 pilgrims poured into the holy site since Christmas Eve, compared to about 50,000 last year, Israeli military officials said, calling that the highest number of holiday visitors in a decade. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.


Pope at Vatican Saturday morning (Photo: Reuters)

 

'Let Christmas inspire respect for human rights'

Benedict used his traditional holiday speech, delivered from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to tourists and pilgrims in the rain-soaked square, to encourage people living in the world's trouble spots to take hope from the "comforting message" of Christmas. Those spots range from strife-torn Afghanistan to the volatile Korean peninsula to the Holy Land where Jesus was born – and even to China.

 

In recent weeks, tensions have flared anew between the Vatican and Beijing over the Chinese government's defiance of the pope's authority to name bishops and its insistence that prelates loyal to Rome attend a gathering to promote China's state-backed church against their will.

 

The pope also wished that Christmas might inspire respect for human rights in Afghanistan and Pakistan and "advance resolution on the Korean peninsula."

 

Benedict has repeatedly spoken out about the plight of Christians in Iraq, many of whom have fled their country to escape persecution and violence, including an attack on a Baghdad basilica during Mass. He prayed that Christmas would "ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and in the Middle East."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.25.10, 17:08
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