The Pope Gets Political In Christmas Address
Posted December 25, 2010 1:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With Christians across the world celebrating Christmas Saturday, Pope Benedict gave his traditional mass at St. Peter’s Square commemorating the occasion.
Benedict urged Catholics in China and Iraq to have courage amid persecution and limits on their religious freedom.
“May the birth of the saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his church, may keep alive the flame of hope,” Benedict said.
The Pontiff has also repeatedly spoken out of the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, which he again touched on during Saturdays mass.
“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.
2010 saw the largest number of pilgrims in a decade travel to Bethlehem.
The town’s 2,750 hotel rooms were booked solid for Christmas week. Only one-third of Bethlehem’s 50,000 residents are Christian today, down from 75 per cent in the 1950s. The rest are Muslims.
With Files From The Associated Press
