The Pope has prayed for South Sudan during his Christmas blessing in a message with Africa very much at heart.
Pope Benedict prayed that the Nativity of the Redeemer assist the people of South Sudan in their commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
He asked the Child Jesus also to ensure political stability to the countries of the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
Pope Benedict asked also for God’s help for the peoples of the Horn of Africa, who √ɬê he said – suffer from hunger and food shortages, aggravated at times by a persistent state of insecurity.
He urged the international community to offer assistance to the many displaced persons coming from that region and whose dignity has been sorely tried.
The Pope told the millions that followed his Christmas blessing to Rome and to the World through the TV and the thousands that gathered at St Peter Square in the Vatican that Jesus brought to the world a universal message of reconciliation and peace.
He urged all to open their hearts to him in order to receive him into their lives.
The Pope concluded his message with Christmas greetings in more that 60 different languages.