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Pope Francis urges aid access to Syria in Christmas speech Pope Francis urges aid access to Syria in Christmas speech
(35 minutes later)
Pope Francis has used his first Christmas Day address to urge access for humanitarian aid in Syria.Pope Francis has used his first Christmas Day address to urge access for humanitarian aid in Syria.
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.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.
The Argentine pope also said tragic incidents involving migrants trying to reach Europe should not be repeated. 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.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. "Too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fuelling hatred and vengeance," said the 77-year-old pontiff.
He also highlighted violence in Central African Republic. "Let us continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering."
Pope Francis called it an "often forgotten and overlooked" conflict in a country "torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty". He also called for peace in Iraq and a successful outcome in talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
Conflicts in Africa were another focus of the Pope's address.
He called the violence in the Central African Republic "often forgotten and overlooked" in a country "torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty".
He also urged an end to fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo, and for "social harmony" in South Sudan.
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".
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.