Hundreds gathered in the Vatican to hear Pope Benedict usher in Christmas for the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics. He was wheeled up the central aisle of St Peter's Basilica on a mobile platform that he has been using since October. The pontiff urged people to go beyond the commercialism of the season. (SOUNDBITE) POPE BENEDICT XVI SAYING (Italian): "Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright light hide the mystery of God's humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity." And called on oppressors to put down their "rods". (SOUNDBITE) POPE BENEDICT XVI SAYING (Italian): "Manifest your power, O God. In this time of ours, in this world of ours, cause the oppressors' rods, the cloaks rolled in blood and the footgear of battle to be burned, so that your peace may triumph in this world of ours." He also urged those less fortunate and far from home be remembered. (SOUNDBITE) POPE BENEDICT XVI SAYING (Italian): "And let us also pray especially at this hour for all who have to celebrate Christmas in poverty, in suffering, as migrants, that a ray of God's kindness may shine upon them." This is the seventh Christmas season of the 84 year-old's pontificate who will deliver his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" message and blessing to the world on Christmas day. Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters
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