This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25514624

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pope Francis set for first Christmas speech Pope Francis urges aid access to Syria in Christmas speech
(about 4 hours later)
Pope Francis is set to make his first Christmas address as pontiff in front of thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Pope Francis has used his first Christmas Day address to urge access for humanitarian aid in Syria.
The Argentine pope is expected to tackle themes such as global poverty, which he has focused on since taking over from Benedict in March this year. He told thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square in the Vatican to pray for a peaceful end to violence in Syria and other conflict zones.
Last year Benedict used his Christmas address to call for peace in Syria. The Argentine pope also said tragic incidents involving migrants trying to reach Europe should not be repeated.
Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
It was the third successive year that the Syrian conflict had been a main focus of the Christmas speech, one of the addresses known as Urbi et Orbi.
The Pope said too many lives had been lost in Syria, and urged all parties to bring an end to violence and allow humanitarian relief.
He also highlighted violence in Central African Republic.
Pope Francis called it an "often forgotten and overlooked" conflict in a country "torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty".
On Tuesday evening thousands gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations.On Tuesday evening thousands gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations.
The nearby Church of the Nativity sits on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born.The nearby Church of the Nativity sits on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born.
Correspondents said it was the biggest crowd to attend the event in years.Correspondents said it was the biggest crowd to attend the event in years.
Latin Patriarch Archbishop Fouad Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, called on the crowd to be "brothers with each other".Latin Patriarch Archbishop Fouad Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, called on the crowd to be "brothers with each other".
Pope Francis celebrated his first Christmas Eve Mass since becoming pontiff at St Peter's Basilica.Pope Francis celebrated his first Christmas Eve Mass since becoming pontiff at St Peter's Basilica.
In a short homily, Francis said that every Christian can choose between darkness and light, between love and hate.In a short homily, Francis said that every Christian can choose between darkness and light, between love and hate.
"If we love God and our brothers and sisters, we walk in the light; but if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us," he said.
On Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his Christmas message from the basilica's central balcony overlooking St Peter's Square.