Pope’s Frailty Blocked His Celebration on Christmas Day

Prayers for peace continued around the world on December 24, Christmas Eve.

Pope John Paul II of the Roman Catholic church celebrates Christmas Eve mass in San Pietro Basilica at midnight on December 25 (8 a.m. December 25, local time). Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who presides over the Vatican, celebrates Christmas mass instead of the Pope.

On the other hand, the Ecumenical Patriarch Alexis II of the Russian Orthodox Church sent a Christmas letter according to custom, saying, “Merry Christmas and I wish you vitality in soul as well as health in body.” The 83-year-old Pope reduced his schedule as much as possible due to recent frailty.

Christians in Iraq held their Christmas celebration early, on the afternoon of December 24 instead of at midnight on December 25, because there was a possibility that the church might be attacked during the mass. So the church asked them to not to carry bags into the mass to prevent hidden bombs by terrorists. About four percent of Iraqis are known to be Christians.

Israel plans to lift its ban limiting people’s travel to Bethlehem during the Christmas holiday. Israel has handed over control to Palestians since Palestinian armed groups declared a cease-fire in July. Although the cease-fire has been broken, Palestinian forces still control the city.

An annual Christmas message by Queen Elizabeth II of the U.K. is sent through TV, radio, phone and the Internet. In particular, it will be delivered to English troops stationed in Iraq by mobile. On the other hand, German President Johannes Rau was reported to emphasize an anti-war atmosphere in German by his Christmas message on December 25.

In Portugal, playing cards depicting “the 52 most dangerous U.S. officials” imitated a Christmas card made by the U.S. army showing the faces of the 55 most wanted Iraqis. These cards were first sold in a bookstore in downtown Lisbon, and 500 first-edition copies seem to be sold out until Christmas. According to the cards, the Ace of Spades represents U.S. Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the King of Diamonds represents U.S. President George W. Bush.