Posted online at 10: 35 on December 25, 1996m. EST (1535 GMT)In this story:(CNN)--
Pope John Paul II wished the world a happy Christmas in 55 languages on Wednesday, but said the tension in the Holy Land and the indifference of the international community to the tragedy in Africa undermined the spirit of Jesus' birth.
Christian tradition holds that Jesus-born Bethlehem celebrated the second Christmas under Palestinian rule.
Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat was one of those who attended the Christmas mass at the Church of the birth of Jesus.
In India, Mother Teresa, who recovered from heart surgery, hosted a Christmas mass on her mission in Kolkata.
In the Pope's Urbi and Obi (
To the city and the world)
Message, 76-year-
The old leader of the Roman Catholic Church said Christmas does not mean giving up violence and injustice, but rather trying to overcome hatred and resume dialogue.
The Pope, who did not celebrate Christmas Mass for health reasons this year, is also in the Holy.
12 hours before his "Urbi et Orbi" address, Peter's Cathedral. (617K/14 sec.
Film)
In his Christmas greetings, John Paul spoke to thousands of people gathered under the rainy sky. Peter's Square.
He said that the past year has brought peace to Bosnia, Guatemala and elsewhere, but there is a serious lack of peace in many other places.
"I think of all the holy places where Bethlehem and Jesus were born and lived: the land he loved, despite provocation and deep disagreement, in the hope that the land could not die, he said.
He said that in the case of attacks by Islamic fundamentalists, "unreasonable violence" occurred in Afghanistan ".
Speaking of racial bloodshed in central Africa, the pope said, "In the absence of universal indifference from the international community, this young continent is experiencing one of the most brutal human tragedies in its history.
"At the church of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the Latin Patriarch, Michelle Saba, delivered an unusually harsh sermon criticizing Israel for its brutal treatment of extremist Palestinians and religious leaders on both sides.
Outside, the workers swept away the pieces of the carnival.
It's like a Christmas Eve celebration that attracts thousands of Palestinians and tourists.
Thousands of people dance with Arabic pop music with joy, flooding Sabbah's words, and Sabbah's channel is also projected on the outdoor screen.
Sister Teresa, the 86-year-old Catholic nun, took the doctor's orders to rest after hosting Christmas mass.
On Tuesday night, the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner was known for working with the poor and the dead, and she hosted a mass on Christmas Eve.
Out of concern for her health, it was held four hours before midnight mass.
Elsewhere in the world: Western officials report that extremists are opposing the local version of the school show for Santa Claus "Frost Old Man", which they see as multifacetedCultural figures.
Croat Catholics in Banja Luka, the Bosnian Serb stronghold, did not attend Christmas midnight mass for the fifth consecutive year on Tuesday night as concerns about security continued.
Red Cross staff provided Christmas Eve dinner and holy wine and Eucharist wafers for midnight mass, led by a captured priest who volunteered to stay with the hostages.
Hot chocolate and traditional Christmas cake. (713K/14 sec.
Film)
The Roman Catholic cathedral in the largest rebel-held city of Goma is packed with hundreds of believers attending the "midnight" mass, which ends three hours earlier due to security concerns.
Reuters contributed to the report.
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