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Pope laments global instability Pope laments global instability
(40 minutes later)
Pope Benedict XVI has called for peace in the Middle East and stability in Africa in his Christmas Day message.Pope Benedict XVI has called for peace in the Middle East and stability in Africa in his Christmas Day message.
Speaking from St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the pontiff said the "horizon seems once again bleak" for Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking from the Vatican, the Pope prayed for the opponents of the "twisted logic of conflict and violence" to prevail in the Holy Land.
The Pope decried instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Somalia, and lamented the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans.The Pope decried instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Somalia, and lamented the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans.
He also called for solidarity in the face of an ever more uncertain future.He also called for solidarity in the face of an ever more uncertain future.
May the divine light of Bethlehem radiate throughout the Holy Land Pope Benedict XVI Archbishop praises small gesturesMay the divine light of Bethlehem radiate throughout the Holy Land Pope Benedict XVI Archbishop praises small gestures
"If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart," he told tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in St Peter's Square."If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart," he told tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in St Peter's Square.
Speaking in Italian, the Pope prayed for the opponents of what he called the "twisted logic of conflict and violence" to prevail. The BBC's David Wiley in Rome says this Christmas the Pope's thoughts are centred particularly upon conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
"May the divine light of Bethlehem radiate throughout the Holy Land, where the horizon seems once again bleak for Israelis and Palestinians," he said. The pontiff's address coincided with an escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, after Hamas leaders there declared an end to a ceasefire between the two sides.
Speaking in Italian from a balcony at St Peter's Basilica, the Pope observed that the "horizon seems once again bleak" for Israel and the Palestinians.
Pope Benedict plans to visit Cameroon and Angola in March, and then Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan next May in order to see for himself the Middle East situation and encourage peaceful solutions to conflict there, our correspondent says.
"May the divine light of Bethlehem radiate throughout the Holy Land," the Pope said.
His remarks echoed those of his earlier Midnight Mass, in which he called for an end to "hatred and violence" in the Middle East.His remarks echoed those of his earlier Midnight Mass, in which he called for an end to "hatred and violence" in the Middle East.
The Pope's address came amid an escalation of violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, after Hamas leaders there declared an end to a ceasefire between the two sides.
Pope Benedict plans to visit Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories next year.
'Interminable sufferings''Interminable sufferings'
Turning to Africa, the pontiff said Zimbabweans had been "trapped for all too long in a political and social crisis which, sadly, keeps worsening".Turning to Africa, the pontiff said Zimbabweans had been "trapped for all too long in a political and social crisis which, sadly, keeps worsening".
He also decried the "interminable sufferings" of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Somalia. These, he said, were the "tragic consequences of the lack of stability and peace" there. Zimbabwe is battling economic collapse and a cholera epidemic, which has killed more than 1,100 people.
The Pope also decried the "interminable sufferings" of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Somalia.
These, he said, were the "tragic consequences of the lack of stability and peace" there.
At the end of his Urbi et Orbi (Latin for "To the City and the World") speech, the 81-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church issued Christmas greetings in 64 languages.At the end of his Urbi et Orbi (Latin for "To the City and the World") speech, the 81-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church issued Christmas greetings in 64 languages.
The Pope plans to visit Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories next year.
Most of the world's 2.1 billion Christians mark Christmas this week.Most of the world's 2.1 billion Christians mark Christmas this week.
Others, chiefly from among the 200 million Orthodox Christians who use the Julian Calendar for their feast days, celebrate the Nativity on 7 January. Others, chiefly from among the 200 million Orthodox Christians who use the Julian Calendar for their feast days, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on 7 January.