Pouring rain failed to stop thousands of followers from attending the event, during which the 80-year-old Pope stressed ending conflict in Tibet, Iraq and Israel in his "urbi et orbi" world blessing, the BBC reported Sunday.

"It is hoped that these are precisely the places where gestures of moderation and forgiveness will increase," Sky News quoted him as saying.

The pope denounced "the many wounds that continue to disfigure humanity in our own day," and demanded "an active commitment to justice ... in areas bloodied by conflict and wherever the dignity of the human person continues to be scorned and trampled."