Pope says Christmas 'hostage' to materialism

Francis, leading the world's 1.2bn Roman Catholics into Christmas for the fourth time since his election in 2013, said in his Christmas Eve homily that a world often obsessed with gifts, feasting and self-centeredness needed more humility. "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there," the Pope said at St. Peter's Basilica.

Many have put themselves, not God, at the centre of the feast

At the solemn but joyous service, attended by some 10,000 people as well as dozens of cardinals and bishops, Pope Francis said the many in the wealthy world had to be reminded that the message of Christmas was humility, simplicity and mystery. "Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference," he said. "Today also the same indifference can exist, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus; when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows; when we are concerned for gifts, but cold toward those who are marginalized." He then added in unscripted remarks: "This worldliness has taken Christmas hostage. It needs to be freed."

"Peace to all who in different areas are enduring suffering" - Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message https://t.co/sfUZtPrIB0 pic.twitter.com/fU6XHqwWUT

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) December 25, 2016

Security heightened after Berlin market attacker killed in Italy

Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high alert. St Peter's Square was cleared out six hours before the mass started at the basilica so that security procedures could be put in place for those entering the church later.

Says remember children who have no toys but forced to use guns

Francis, who has made defence of the poor a trademark of his papacy, said the infant Jesus should remind everyone of those suffering today, particularly children. "Let us also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of today's world, who are not lying in a cot caressed with the affection of a mother and father, but rather suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity: hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat over-laden with immigrants," he said. Outside the basilica, thousands of people who could not get into the largest church in Christendom watched on large screens in the chilly night. The Swiss Guard clear out St Peter's Square prior to the pope's speech to the city and to the world Reuters"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 said. On Christmas Day, Francis delivered his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and to the World") blessing and message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

Pope's message To The City and To The World

His traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message was linked by a common thread of war, violence and suffering at a time that should be defined by harmony and peace symbolised by the infant Jesus. "Peace to those who have lost a person dear to them as a result of brutal acts of terrorism, which have sown fear and death into the hearts of so many countries and cities," he told some 40,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square. "Today this message (of peace) 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," he said, speaking in Italian from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He called for peace in Syria, urging immediate assistance to the exhausted population of the city of Aleppo, which Syrian government forces recaptured last week after four years of devastating fighting with rebels. "It is time for weapons to be still forever (in Syria), and the international community to actively seek a negotiated solution, so that civil co-existence can be restored in the country," he said.