VATICAN CITY, Dec 26: Pope John Paul, in his Christmas Day message, urged the world to avert a conflict in Iraq and appealed for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

In his appeal, his first public reference to the crisis in Iraq, the pope said believers in all religions should build peace.

Looking frail but resplendent in gold vestments, the 82-year-old Polish pontiff said they were called on “in the Middle East, to extinguish the ominous smouldering of a conflict which, with the joint efforts of all, can be avoided.”

The Vatican advocates that any action in Iraq must be approved by the United Nations.

The message of hope was echoed by Christians at church services around the world, even as the United States stepped up preparations for an invasion of Iraq and worshippers in Asia were nervous over possible fresh attacks by militants.

In Iraq, the country’s Christian minority put on a brave face to celebrate Christmas but there was little joy.

The mood was sombre as President Saddam Hussein, in a message to Iraqis, warned the drums of a U.S.-led war against Iraq were beating louder.

Some Iraqis said they were celebrating Christmas as an act of defiance.

“We celebrate Christmas and practise our normal life despite the American threats and the embargo,” said a Baghdad restaurant owner.

In Bethlehem, Palestinians marked what some called the saddest Christmas ever in the biblical city, walking to Mass through cold rainy streets bereft of holiday cheer after weeks of Israeli military occupation.—Reuters