Pope Benedict Calls for Peace and Reconciliation for the New Year

The Pope Benedict XVI ratified before thousands of people, gathered in the San Pedro square of the Vatican, that the birth of Christ is a  “shoot of new life” for humanity.

In his Christmas message, the pontiff called for an end of violence in Syria and assistance for the refugees. He said that despite of the power the man has to exclude God, which “is scary”, His coming to the world drives away that dark thought and represents the hope that overcomes fear.

Benedict XVI made a stop in Holy Land and hoped that peace emerges in that region where Jesus was born, lived, died and resurrected. He asked God to grant Israelis and Palestinians “the courage to put an end to years of struggle and division, and decisively take the path of negotiation.”

During his homily at midnight Mass, the Pope called for peace in the world and rejected the use of violence in the name of God.

Pope Bendict XVI implored God to enlighten “people who believe in the duty of using violence on God’s name, to learn to understand the absurdity of it and become men of peace”.