Pope francis has urged the worlds Roman Catholics not to ignore the plight of migrants who have been forced to flee because of violence. At Christmas Eve mass in saint peters basilica, the pontiff drew comparisons with the biblical story of mary and joseph, who found no place to stay in bethlehem when mary was about to give birth tojesus. Pope francis said respect for migrants was an integral part of christianity. Virginia langeberg reports. In vatican city, the faithful began gathering long before midnight in saint peters square. Beneath a giant christmas tree, a scene to reflect the birth of jesus. While inside the basilica began the annual ceremony, steeped in catholic tradition. This, the fifth Christmas Eve mass to be held by pope francis. With 1. 2 million Roman Catholic followers around the world, the pontiff used his speech to highlight the plight of migrants, telling his followers the story of mary and joseph, and the trials they were forced to endure on theirjourney to bethle
Meanwhile the archbishop of canterbury here in britain, has used his Christmas Day sermon, to reflect on what he described as tyrannical leaders around the world. Justin welby said 2017 had seen populist leaders deceiving their people. The bbcs religion editor Martin Bashir reports. Bright sunshine lit up the basilica in st peters square. But pope francis chose to focus his Christmas Day message on how conflict and oppression are casting a dark shadow over the world. He said that christmas makes us focus on the christ child, and thereby Pay Attention to the sufferings of children, particularly in the holy land. We seejesus in the children of the middle east, he said, who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between israelis and palestinians. On this festive day, let us ask the lord for peace forjerusalem. The Anglican Archbishop in jerusalem, the most reverend suhail dawani, said that christ himself wept over the city 2,000 years ago, and, with Donald Trumps decision to offic
The lord for peace in jerusalem and the holy land. Leaderrussian opposition Alexei Navalny calls for a boycott of next years president ial election after being barred from standing. Venezuelas president under pressure as canada expels the ambassador and says Nicolas Maduro is robbing people of democratic rights. And we visit a shooting range in india to meet the granny who has become a celebrity at age 80. Gavin hello, and welcome to bbc world news. In rome, pope francis has called for an end to the suffering of children and for peace in the middle east. It comes as christmas celebrations in bethlehem have been quieter than usual after the violence which followed president trumps decision to move the u. S. Embassy to jerusalem. Meanwhile, the archbishop of canterbury has used his Christmas Day sermon to reflect radicalhe describes as tyrannical leaders around the world. Said 2017 had seen populist leaders deceiving the people. The bbcs religion editor Martin Bashir reports. Martin brig
Has used his Christmas Day sermon, to reflect on what he described as tyrannical leaders around the world. Justin welby said 2017 had seen populist leaders, deceiving their people. The bbcs religion editor Martin Bashir reports. Bright sunshine lit up the basilica in st peters square. But pope francis chose to focus his Christmas Day message on how conflict and oppression are casting a dark shadow over the world. He said that christmas makes us focus on the christ child, and thereby Pay Attention to the sufferings of children, particularly in the holy land. We seejesus in the children of the middle east, he said, who continue to suffer because of growing tensions between israelis and palestinians. On this festive day, let us ask the lord for peace forjerusalem. The Anglican Archbishop in jerusalem, the most reverend suheil dawani, said that christ himself wept over the city 2,000 years ago, and with Donald Trumps decision to officially recognisejerusalem as the capital of israel, that
The lord for peace in jerusalem and the holy land. Leaderrussian opposition Alexei Navalny calls for a boycott of next years president ial election after being barred from standing. Venezuelas president under pressure as canada expels the ambassador and says Nicolas Maduro is robbing people of democratic rights. And we visit a shooting range in india to meet the granny who has become a celebrity at age 80. Gavin hello, and welcome to bbc world news. In rome, pope francis has called for an end to the suffering of children and for peace in the middle east. It comes as christmas celebrations in bethlehem have been quieter than usual after the violence which followed president trumps decision to move the u. S. Embassy to jerusalem. Meanwhile, the archbishop of canterbury has used his Christmas Day sermon to reflect radicalhe describes as tyrannical leaders around the world. Said 2017 had seen populist leaders deceiving the people. The bbcs religion editor Martin Bashir reports. Martin brig