Pope tells of prayer for peace

Pope Francis has said in his Christmas Day speech that hopes for a better world, including successful Middle East negotiations in the land of Jesus’s birth, peace for Syria and several war-torn African countries, and dignity for refugees fleeing misery and conflict.

Francis spoke from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican to some 70,000 cheering tourists, pilgrims and Romans in the square below. He said he was joining all those hoping “for a better world”.