Monday, December 25, 2006 at 12:12am
Pope issues call to protect children
Pope Benedict said the baby Jesus should remind everyone of the plight of poor, abused and neglected children the world over as he ushered in Christmas at midnight mass on Monday.
Benedict, 79, marked the second Christmas of his pontificate as he celebrated the mass for more than 10,000 in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Thousands of others watched on large screens outside and millions more tuned in on television or radio around the world.
"The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze toward all children, particularly those who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn," the Pope said in his homily, making a reference to abortion.
"Toward children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; toward children who have to beg; toward children who suffer deprivation and hunger; toward children who are unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us. It is the God who has become small who appeals to us," Reuters News Service reported.
Just as the angels called the shepherds to seek the child lying in the manger, modern man is called to listen to baby Jesus' message, the Pope said.
"Let us pray this night that the brightness of God's love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of love, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life," he said.
Benedict, 79, marked the second Christmas of his pontificate as he celebrated the mass for more than 10,000 in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Thousands of others watched on large screens outside and millions more tuned in on television or radio around the world.
"The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze toward all children, particularly those who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn," the Pope said in his homily, making a reference to abortion.
"Toward children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; toward children who have to beg; toward children who suffer deprivation and hunger; toward children who are unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us. It is the God who has become small who appeals to us," Reuters News Service reported.
Just as the angels called the shepherds to seek the child lying in the manger, modern man is called to listen to baby Jesus' message, the Pope said.
"Let us pray this night that the brightness of God's love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of love, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life," he said.