Pope frowns at killings of christians in Nigeria

Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday called for an "end to the bloodshed" in
conflict-wracked Syria in a traditional Christmas message that touched
on several other of the world's conflict zones.


"There is hope in the world … even at the most difficult times and in
the most difficult situations," he said, praying that "peace spring up
for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict
which does not spare even the defenceless and reaps innocent victims."


Speaking from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in a message watched
by millions around the world, he called "for an end to the bloodshed,
easier access for the relief of refugees and the displaced, and
dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict."


A capacity crowd of 40,000 pilgrims filled the vast St Peter's Square
to hear the 85-year-old pope, resplendent in red vestments, deliver
the message under partly cloudy skies.
His wide-ranging "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) message
also pointed to hotspots across Africa and urged religious freedom in
China, and as usual called for peace in the Middle East.

He notably lamented "savage acts of terrorism" that frequently target
Christian churches in Nigeria.

In Indonesia, more than 200 Muslims threw rotten eggs at Christians
wanting to hold a Christmas mass outside Jakarta, police said.


Some 100 Christian worshippers intended to hold a mass near the spot
where they hope to build a church, in a project that was barred by
district government and community members in 2009.


Since then, worshippers from the Filadelfia Batak Christian Protestant
Church have held Sunday services under scorching sun outside the
property.


On Tuesday, however, local community members blocked the road near the
land, local police told AFP.