DECRYING the suffering in Syria, Pope Francis wished Christmas peace and hope for all those scarred by war and terrorism, which he said is sowing "fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities".
Some 40,000 tourists and Romans calmly endured long security queues to enter St Peter's Square to see the pope on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica, where he delivered the traditional Urbi Et Orbi (to the city and to the world) Christmas message and blessing.
Francis spoke sorrowfully of the suffering caused by the Syrian war, especially in Aleppo, pressing the international community to help negotiate a solution. He urged Israelis and Palestinians to "write a new page of history, where hate and revenge give way" toward building a future of understanding and harmony.
He also cited the "brutality of terrorism" in Iraq, Libya and Yemen.
In Nigeria, the pope lamented, "fundamentalist terrorism exploits even children", a reference to child suicide bombers. He expressed hope that dialogue would prevail over "the mindset of conflict" in both South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The heavy security at the Vatican reflected apprehension in much of Europe, which is reeling from extremist attacks. 12 people died in Berlin when a Tunisian man who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group ploughed a lorry through a crowd at a Christmas market. He was killed a few days later in a shoot-out near Milan.
"Peace to all those who have been injured or have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the brutal acts of terrorism that have sown fear and death in the heart of many countries and cities," the Pope said.
Referring to the meaning of Jesus' birth, Francis said: "This message goes out to the ends of the Earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace."
His Christmas message also recalled Colombia, which has seen his personal intervention try to end Latin America's longest running conflict, and Venezuela, where a papal envoy has tried to facilitate talks between the government and the opposition as Venezuelans endure widespread food and medicine shortages.
Francis expressed concern over tensions on the Korean peninsula, and over Burma, which he said should "consolidate efforts to promote peaceful coexistence".
During Christmas Eve Mass in the basilica, Francis said Jesus' birth, in a humble stable, calls to mind how some children today must hide in underground bomb shelters, live on the street, lie on the bottom of overcrowded smugglers' boats, are given weapons instead of toys or are not allowed to be born at all.
He urged Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus by thinking about the plight of today's children, bemoaning how some must escape bombs or flee in migrant boats and how others are prevented from being born at all.
Francis celebrated a sombre Christmas Eve Mass in a packed St Peter's Basilica, processing to the altar behind cardinals draped in golden vestments as the Sistine Chapel choir sang Gloria and the church bells rang out across Rome.
He has spent much of the year denouncing the Islamic extremist violence that has driven Christians from Middle East communities that date to the time of Christ.
He has also demanded Europe in particular do more to welcome refugees, saying Jesus himself was a migrant who deserved more than being born in a manger. And he has called out the wasteful ways of the wealthy when children and the poor die of hunger every day.
In his homily, Francis urged his flock to reflect on how children today are not always allowed to lie peacefully in a cot, loved by their parents as Jesus was, but rather "suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity".
Among the indignities, he said, are "hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat overladen with immigrants".
"Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by the children who are not allowed to be born, by those who cry because no one satiates their hunger, by those who do have not toys in their hands, but rather weapons," he added.
The Mass late on Saturday was the first major event of the Christmas season, followed by Francis' noon Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world) blessing on Christmas Day.
In another appeal, Francis called for the faithful to not get caught up in the commercialisation of Christmas - "when we are concerned for gifts but cold toward those who are marginalised".
Materialism has "taken us hostage this Christmas", he said. "We have to free ourselves of it!"
