Pope Makes Christmas Midnight Mass Peace Plea

Reuters ^ | Dec 24, 2003 | Philip Pullella

[Pharmboy]

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul led Roman Catholics into Christmas on Thursday, calling on a world caught up in conflict to open itself to the peace of the infant Jesus.

"Too much blood is still being shed on earth," the 83-year-old pontiff said in the homily of a Christmas midnight mass in St Peter's Basilica that once again tested his strength.

The mass from Christendom's largest church, marking the Polish pope's 26th Christmas as leader of the world's one billion Catholics, was broadcast live to nearly 50 countries.

"Too much violence and too many conflicts trouble the peaceful coexistence of nations," he said, speaking slowly in Italian and reading his homily in a relatively clear voice.

"You come to bring us peace. You are our peace," he said in a homily that was mostly of religious content, recalling the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

"May the radiance of your birth light up the night of world. May the power of your message of love thwart the proud snare of the evil one. May the gift of your life make us understand ever more clearly the worth of the life of each human being," he said.

As the voices of the Sistine Chapel choir filled the basilica with singing, the pope, resplendent in gold and white vestments, was wheeled up the center aisle of the basilica to applause.

His Parkinson's disease makes it difficult to talk, and leg and hip ailments make it nearly impossible for him to walk or stand.

He celebrated the mass sitting on a special chair that rises to allow him to reach the altar without standing.

Aides said he insisted on celebrating the mass himself on the second-most holy day of the Christian liturgical calendar after Easter.

In recent months the pope, who marked his 25th anniversary in October, has been attending ceremonies but delegating a senior cardinal to celebrate the services in order to conserve his strength.

For the first time since his election in 1978, the pope is celebrating Christmas with no firm plans for travel in the following year, although there have been some invitations.

The highlight of the Christmas season will come later on Thursday when the pope delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message and blessing from the central balcony of St Peter's Square to the crowds in the square below.

He traditionally reads Christmas greetings in many languages just after the twice-yearly Urbi et Orbi address.

[Pharmboy]

Sheesh, Holy Father. I would respectively submit that fewer people are dying lately than during the 90s. Emphasize the positive sometimes.

[lizma]

calling on a world caught up in conflict to open itself to the peace of the infant Jesus.

My pastor basically said the same thing tonight at the Christmas service and followed it up with prays for our military.

I really like my pastor.

[Porterville]

It is a dig at America... it is always a dig at the USA... I just don't understand why.... perhaps it is time for another schism

[Ulysses]

...in a homily that was mostly of religious content...

Oh, man! Can you believe the nerve of that Pope guy? He had the gall to talk about...gasp!...

...

...

...JESUS?!?!

A "homily that was mostly of religious content."

What did Reuters expect? A recap of the winter baseball meetings?

Gimme a break, already...

[livius]

"Too much violence and too many conflicts trouble the peaceful coexistence of nations"...

Yes, and who is causing that? It ain't Christians.

"Violence" and "conflicts" do not arise spontaneously. In this case, they are the product of one thing, Islam. But I guess the new, revised PC Rome could never bring itself to mention that tasteless truth.

[freedumb2003]

A "homily that was mostly of religious content."

I wasn't there but I am willing to bet it was completely religious content (although he may have given the basketball scores in Latin -- "Shaqus Scorus Kobus Dunkus").

[Cicero]

Well, I don't see anything wrong in praying for peace. Some Vatican officials are doubtless anti-American, but I really don't think the Pope is, although the media sometimes try to spin it that way.

[Prime Choice]

Peace has long been within our grasp. All that we require is that our enemies accept the blessings of God Almighty and come to appreciate the error of their hateful and debauched ways.

Every night I pray that hearts across the world will not be as hardened and that those who preach hatred will be blessed with a proper conscience. And I pray for my own sake as well, for I am not without a hardened heart, nor am I without hatred. But I, unlike our enemies, do not take my wrath out of innocent men, women and children.

And that is a great divide indeed.

[Porterville]

Well, there isn't anything wrong with wanting Peace... I just have the feeling that some in Rome are using the Peace issue like the Nobel judges use the award...

[EGPWS]

It is a dig at America...

Now how did you come to THAT conclusion?

[Porterville]

Seriously??? You don't feel the animus from some in Rome against America??

[PAR35]

Wasn't he a "freedom fighter" during WWII?

[F16Fighter]

"Pope John Paul...call[ed] on a world caught up in conflict to open itself to the peace of the infant Jesus."

Hasn't the Pope gotten the memo yet?

It is the grown up adult Jesus Christ who's word we should abide by, and who lives forever, and of whom will declare peace on earth -- which can occur ONLY upon His return.

[Pharmboy]

Nope...I agree: nothing wrong with praying for peace. All I am saing is a nod from the Vatican to the greatest force for good in the world (hint: it's the US) would have been a nice present. We can do no good per the Holy See, can we? Only ruthless commie/fascist/tyrants are good...

[observer5]

It would also help if the Christians world wide would not tell other religions that they are worshipping the devil!

Doctor heal th....

[Agnes Heep]

The twentieth century proved that he who capitulates to evil inevitably becomes evil.

[EGPWS]

Seriously??? You don't feel the animus from some in Rome against America??

I do.

I, however didn't see it in this posting.

[browardchad]

From the BBC version:

In his homily, the pontiff called for peaceful co-existence among nations and an end to violence and conflicts.

"Too much blood is still being shed on the Earth! Too much violence and too many conflicts," he said.

Extra security measures are in place all around the Vatican as a result of intelligence warnings that St Peter's could be the object of a terror attack.

It's difficult to emphasize the positive when you have to worry about murdering madmen attacking the birthday celebration of the Prince of Peace.

[Jackson Brown]

Where was the Pope and the Church when 800,000 people were being slaughtered in Rwanda -- as the Rwandan Church officials watched without so much as a peep? Maybe they were at a party with UN officials.

Of course, the Pope did speak up when they executed 22 people for involvement/leading in the killing...makes sense to me!

[Cicero]

Some in Rome are indeed using peace in the wrong sort of way, but I don't think that includes the Pope. Unfortunately my TV set was on the blink when I got back from singing in the choir for midnight mass, so I didn't get to see the Pope's mass in Rome. I was hoping to, because who knows if he will be around to say another one?

But it would be very surprising if he didn't talk about "peace on Earth" on Christmas.

One of the Christmas readings last night, for instance, is from Isaiah 9, and almost demands that the homily should touch on the subject of peace:

2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death [1]
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [2] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.