Pope Calls for Peace

A day after Pope Benedict XVI the commercialism of Christmas has become, the Catholic leader announced what he'd like for Christmas: Peace in Syria, reconciliation inMyanmar, and comfort in flood-ravaged Thailand and the Philippines. Addressing a packed St. Peter's Square, he prayed for God to “bring an end to the violence in Syira, where so much blood has already been shed.” During his Christmas Eve Mass, the Pope said, “Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright lights hide the mystery of God's humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity.”