VATICAN CITY, Dec 26: Pope John Paul led the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas on Tuesday, saying that hearts around the world were anxious and distressed by war and tension.

Amid security that was tighter than usual for fear of a possible attack, the 81-year-old Pope said a solemn midnight mass for thousands of people in St Peter’s Basilica, Christendom’s largest church.

A prayer during the mass, televised live to hundreds of millions of people in 47 countries around the world, urged Christians, Jews and Muslims to “try everything possible so that the name of God is not exploited for works of death” — a reference to terrorism.

In his sermon, the Pope, wearing white and gold vestments, referred to tensions in the world, saying they should not be allowed to dampen the spirit of the season.

“Our hearts this Christmas are anxious and distressed because of the continuation in various parts of the world of war, social tensions, and the painful hardships in which so many people find themselves,” the Pope said.

“We are seeking an answer that will reassure us,” he said, appearing in relatively good health despite suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

The Pope, marking the 24th Christmas season of his history-making papacy, said Christ’s message of light and hope was still valid in today’s troubled world.

“But does this certainty of faith not seem to clash with the way things are today?” he asked, reading his sermon in an exceptionally strong voice.—Reuters