POPE BENEDICT XVI made a New Year’s Day wish that people would work courageously for world peace, and especially for a lasting end to the Holy Land’s conflict, which he said has dragged on for too long.

Pope Benedict XVI made a New Year's Day wish today that people would work courageously for world peace, and especially for a lasting end to the Holy Land's conflict, which he said has dragged on for too long.

The Pope prayed for the victims of the Indian Ocean earthquake during a special midnight Mass in his private chapel early today.