Pope celebrates Christmas Eve mass

ROME, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Christmas Eve midnight mass at the Vatican in Rome, calling for an end to the exploitation of children worldwide.

The 81-year-old pontiff, the spiritual leader of the world's 1.13 billion Catholics, told the thousands of people who gathered inside and out St. Peter's Basilica on a cold night everything possible must be done to end the suffering of children who are being "made instruments of violence, instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace."

The pope's homily was broadcast via satellite to more than 65 nations.

Earlier in the day, the pope appeared at his studio window to light a single candle in a sign of peace, the BBC reported.

Benedict is to deliver his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message Thursday to the city and to the world. He is expected address issues of Vatican and international concern.