Pontiff celebrates Christmas Mass

The Pope asked people to pray for children who suffered

Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated Christmas midnight Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

In a sermon broadcast to more than 40 countries, the Pope said the infant Jesus directed our gaze towards all children who suffer.

He singled out those forced to fight as child soldiers, to beg and those "who suffer deprivation and hunger" and "children who are unloved".

Gifts were brought to the altar by children from all five continents.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome said St Peter's Basilica was crowded, and there were so many pilgrims that thousands more had to watch the ceremony on giant television screens outside in St Peter's Square.

At the start of the mass, children, many wearing colourful national costumes, brought gifts to the altar, where a small statue of the new-born Jesus was placed.

To represent the worldwide reach of the Roman Catholic church, the children were from Korea, Poland, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and Burkina Faso.

'Directs our gaze'

The Pope, in his second Christmas as pontiff, said in his sermon: "The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze towards all children, particularly those who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn."

Thousands of people watched the midnight mass on big screens

The Pope said of circumstances where children suffer: "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."

He added: "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."

Pope Benedict also said that in giving gifts at Christmas, Christians should not look to receive anything back in return.

Later in the day, he is due to deliver his Christmas greetings and message to the city of Rome and to the world.

Our correspondent added that the Pope is expected to refer to the conflicts in the Middle East and the difficult situation facing Christians in the lands where Jesus Christ was born and lived 2,000 years ago.