Pope John Paul, leading the world's Roman Catholics into Christmas, urged humanity today to remember that Jesus's message remained one of hopein times of war, suffering and oppression.
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The pope, resplendent in gold and white vestments, lookedtired and his voice seemed a bit hoarse during the midnight massceremony attended by more than 10,000 people in St Peter'sBasilica.
During the mass, the faithful also heard a prayer for peacein the Middle East, a topic expected to be a main part of thepope's message later on Christmas Day.
"Jesus is born for a humanity searching for freedom andpeace," the pope said during the homily of the evening mass,which was broadcast live to tens of millions of viewers in 47countries.
"He is born for everyone burdened by sin, in need ofsalvation, and yearning for hope," the pope said, celebratingthe 25th Christmas season of his reign as head of the world'sone billion Catholics.
Standing at a flower-bedecked altar, the 82-year-old Polishpope said Christmas night, celebrating the birth of Jesus, was anight of faith, love and hope.
"It is a sign of hope for the whole human family; a sign ofpeace for those suffering from conflicts of every kind; a signof freedom for the poor and oppressed; a sign of mercy for thosecaught up in the vicious circle of sin; a sign of love andconsolation for those who feel lonely and abandoned.
"A small and fragile sign, a humble and quiet sign, but onefilled with the power of God who out of love became man."
Most of the pope's homily during the solemn ceremony wasdedicated to a recounting of the Christmas story.
At 11 a.m. (Irish time) today, the pope will deliverhis twice yearly "Urbi et Orbi" blessing and message to crowds in Rome's St Peter's Square.