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Pope Christmas message urges peace,admonishes China

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he delivers Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) Christmas Day message from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican December 25, 2010.

Pope Benedict prayed for a rebirth of peace in the Middle East and encouraged Catholics in Iraq and communist China to resist persecution in his Christmas message read amid heightened security today.

In the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message, he said the Christmas message of peace and hope was always new, surprising and daring and should spur everyone in the peaceful struggle for justice.

Speaking from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to thousands of people braving the chill and drizzle in the square below, he delivered Christmas greetings in 65 languages, including those spoken in the world’s trouble spots.

“May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence,” he said.





He hoped Christmas would bring consolation to Christians in Iraq and all the Middle East, where the Vatican fears that violence such as an October attack by militants on a Baghdad church that killed 52 people is fuelling a Christian exodus from the region.

Benedict also directly criticed China, where recently Catholics loyal to the pope were forced to attend a series of events by the state-backed Church which does not recognise his authority, bringing relations with the Vatican to a low point.

He prayed that Christmas would “strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China” and decried “the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience...”

Benedict asked God to “grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all”.

HIGH SECURITY AFTER ROME BOMBS

Police were on heightened security in the Vatican and in Rome two days after parcel bombs exploded at the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome. Anarchists claimed responsibility for the attacks, which injured one person at each embassy.

More police than normal were seen along the main street leading from the Tiber River to the Vatican but the atmosphere in the square was festive despite the security and the rain.

In his sermon at last night’s Mass for some 10,000 people inside the basilica, the pope, celebrating the sixth Christmas since his election, prayed for oppressors to be punished.

Vatican guards were more vigilant on Friday night following security breaches for two consecutive years at Christmas Eve masses by the same woman, Susanna Maiolo.

Last year the woman, who has had a history of mental problems, jumped over a barricade as the pope walked up the basilica’s main aisle and managed to pull him to the floor. The year before, she was stopped before she could reach him.

“His guardian angel will protect him and each one of us will be protected,” said tourist Gayle Savino, from New York, as she entered the basilica for the pope midnight mass on Friday night.

“It’s just a blessing to be here on such a wonderful night on Christ’s birthday,” she said.

In his message today, he also called for peace in Somalia, Darfur and Ivory Coast, reconciliation between the two Koreas and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The group claiming responsibility for the parcel bomb attacks in Rome two days, the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), is well known to Italian police and was described in an intelligence report to parliament last year as “the main national terrorist threat of an anarchist-insurrectionist type”.

It gained notoriety in 2003 with a so-called “Santa Claus campaign” against EU institutions which included a parcel bomb sent just before Christmas to Romano Prodi, a former prime minister who at the time was head of the European Commission.

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Nelson Mandela celebrates 92nd birthday-World pays tribute to Mandela at 92

Obama sends Mandela birthday greetings - 92 years old.

Her Royal Highness Zenani Dlamini (L) lights the candles on the cake to celebrate Mr Nelson Mandela's 92nd Birthday

US President Barack Obama on Sunday extended birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela, hailing the former South African leader's "extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit."

"On behalf of the United States, I wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 92nd birthday. We are grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit," the US president said in a statement.






"We strive," he said, "to build upon his example of tolerance, compassion and reconciliation."

The greetings from America's first black president to South Africa's, came as the world celebrated the first international day in honor of Mandela's 92nd birthday, hailing his contribution to global politics and the fight for human rights.

"I also join the American people, the South African people, the United Nations, and the world in celebrating the first annual Nelson Mandela International Day. I encourage us all to heed the call to engage in some form of service to others, in honor of the 67 years of sacrifice and service Madiba gave to us," Obama said, familiarly referring to Mandela by his nickname.

"We strive to follow his example of what it means to truly give back to our communities, our nations, and our world," Obama said.

Hymns and electric guitars: Jerusalem marks Easter-Christian pilgrims mark Easter in Jerusalem

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With ancient hymns and religious rock bands, Christians from around the world are celebrating Easter Sunday in Jerusalem.

Armenian Christians in ornate robes are holding a ceremony in the dark, incense-filled chambers of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and then resurrected on Easter Sunday at this site.

Outside the Old City, members of Protestant church groups held their own celebration among the trees of the site known as the Garden Tomb, where some traditions say Jesus was buried.

Two guitarists, a drummer and a keyboard player led hundreds of worshippers in English prayer.

"All hail, redeemer, for thou hast died for me," they sang, some raising their hands and closing their eyes.

Thousands of Christian pilgrims streamed into Jerusalem's cavernous Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Easter Sunday at the traditional site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial.

Incense filled the air as Western and Orthodox pilgrims packed into the labyrinthine maze of chapels and crypts lit by thousands of candles as services were held at the grotto where Jesus is believed to have risen from the dead.

Women in shawls knelt to kiss the stone where Jesus's body is believed to have been prepared for burial as bearded monks in long black robes watched over visitors making their way through Christianity's holiest site.

"I came all the way from Belarus for the holiday," said Lana, 38, as she waited in a long line at one of the chapels. "I am so happy to be able to light a candle at this holy tomb."

The centuries-old church is shared uneasily by six denominations of Jesus Christ's followers -- Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Egyptian Copts, Syrian Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox.

In previous years Israeli police have had to rush into the church to break up fist fights between rival monks over alleged attempts to alter a delicate status quo hammered out over centuries, but this year calm prevailed.

The Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal welcomed the fact that Easter fell on the same day for Western and Eastern denominations, saying in his Easter sermon that "this year... our joy is double."

"Someone might be disturbed by the overlapping of prayers and songs... Yet this seeming cacophony, lived in faith, becomes instead a symphony that expresses the unity of the faith," he said.

Israeli police had stepped up security across the walled Old City during holy week, when thousands of pilgrims trace Jesus's final steps through its winding cobblestone streets.

Israel maintained a general closure of the West Bank imposed for the weeklong Jewish Passover holiday but the military said it issued more than 10,000 permits allowing Palestinian Christians to enter for up to two weeks.

Another 500 Christians from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, about a fourth of the territory's tiny non-Muslim minority, were also granted permits to travel to Israel and the West Bank, according to the military.

The Palestinians have however complained of restrictions, including long waits at the hundreds of checkpoints scattered across the occupied territory.

"My family got permits to come to Jerusalem but they decided not to because they will suffer at Qalandiya," said Rimas Kasabreh, 34, a Greek Orthodox woman living in Jerusalem, referring to the main checkpoint outside the city.

Her family hails from a village near the northern West Bank town of Jenin. "The lines take hours. It would spoil the happiness of the holiday," she said.

Jerusalem, with famed sites sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, has seen rising tensions in recent weeks following Israel's announcement of plans for new Jewish settlements in the mostly Arab eastern side of the city.

The Old City is part of east Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed in a move not recognised by any other government.

Israel views all of Jerusalem as its "eternal, undivided" capital, but the Palestinians have demanded east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and the dispute over the city has paralysed US-led peace efforts.

In an Easter message delivered at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI called for a "true exodus" from the Middle East conflict.

"I pray... that in the Middle East, and especially in the land sanctified by (Christ's) death and resurrection, the peoples will accomplish a true and definitive 'exodus' from war and violence to peace and concord," he said.



A Catholic priest prays during the Washing of the Feet ceremony inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many Christians to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, April 1, 2010. Christians from around the world are in the Holy Land marking the solemn period of Easter.


Worshippers gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to light their candles on the eve of Easter Sunday


Gaza's Christians celebrate Easter mass.


Pilgrims attended services held at the grotto where Jesus is believed to have risen from the dead


Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theofilos III, right, washes the foot of a priest during the Washing of the Feet ceremony outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many Christians to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, April 1, 2010. Christians from around the world are in the Holy Land marking the solemn period of Easter


Ethiopian Orthodox Christian pilgrims pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, April 1, 2010. Christians from around the world are in the Holy Land marking the solemn period of Easter.

Filipinos whipped and nailed to crosses in terrifyingly realistic re-enactment of the Crucifixion

Devout Filipinos have been nailed to crosses and whipped in an annual ritual to mark Good Friday.

Dozens of people were crucified in villages across the Roman Catholic country, in one of the world's most bizarre practices to mark the day when Christians believe Jesus Christ was put to death.

The event drew more than 10,000 Filipino and foreign spectators.
Many gathered at San Pedro Cutud, a farming village where devotees dressed in robes and tin crowns walked to a dusty mound carrying wooden crosses on their backs.

At the mound, men nailed their hands and feet to the crosses.
Among the devotees was Ruben Enaje, a 49-year-old sign painter who was nailed to a cross for the 24th time as his way of thanking God for his survival after falling from a building.

Mary Jane Mamangon, a 34-year-old rice cake vendor, was the lone female devotee to be nailed to a cross this year in San Juan village. It was her 14th time.
She said she started when she was 18 and has taken part in the annual rites on and off to seek God's help in saving her ill grandmother and now her younger sister, who is suffering from cancer.

'I do it because I have seen that it works,' she said. 'I saw how my grandmother recovered from her illness.'

Similar rites took place in nearby Bulacan province, while in other parts of the country, half-dressed, barefooted flagellants walked the streets, whipping their bloody backs with pieces of wood dangling from ropes as a way to atone for sins.
The crucifixion re-enactment has taken place for over 33 years and ends at 3pm, when a person portraying the role of Jesus is nailed on the cross.

According to Catholics, this is also the exact time when Jesus died.

Church leaders reject such practices. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said the real expression of Christian faith during Lent is through repentance and self-renewal, not flagellation or crucifixion.

Bishop Rolando Tirona of the Prelature of Infanta said flagellation and cross nailings were expressions of superstitious beliefs, and were usually done out of need for money or to encourage tourism.
About 80 per cent of the population of more than 90million people in the Philippines are Roman Catholic.

For the first time foreigners were banned from taking part in the ritual carried out in Pampanga province's San Fernando city.

Organiser Ching Pangilinan said the ban was imposed after foreigners took part in previous years to make fun of the rites.

'We don't want them to just make a mockery out of the tradition of the people here,' Pangilinan said.
A man dressed as Jesus on the cross for a Good Friday open air performance of The Passion Of Jesus in London's Trafalgar Square, which attracted hundreds of onlookers.


Hundreds of people looked on during a Good Friday performance at Trafalgar Square

Ritual: Men raise the cross of the penitent in San Juan village, northern Philippines

Devotee: This man, from the village of San Pedro, north of Manila, was among more than 23 people who were nailed to crosses

Catholic: Mary Jane Mamangon, 34, was the lone woman to be crucified in Pampanga province, northern Philippines

Painfully devoted: Ruben Enaje, a 49-year-old sign painter, was nailed to a cross for the 24th time as his way of thanking God for his survival after falling from a building. The bizarre practice is an annual Filipino ritual to mark Good Friday

The ritual has taken place for the last 33 years, and ends at 3pm - which is the exact time the Catholics believe Jesus died

Maria Wendelyn Pedrosa, 19, is carried by Filipinos in the town of Hagonoy, Bulacan province, northern Philippines

A man rushes forward carrying a cross as he is whipped by others during the reenactment of the sufferings of Jesus Christ

Showered in flower petals and wild colours, it's the Indian festival of Lathmar Holi

From the lavish scenes of Bollywood to the rich spectrum of their cuisine, no other country in the world celebrates colours like India.

So it's no surprise that spring is being greeted with a festival celebrating just that - colour.

The Lathmar Holi was being celebrated in villages across India today, as thousands of men and women showered themselves in brilliantly coloured powders and millions of flower petals.

The legend behind the festival claims that it is closely associated with Lord Krishna and his principle consort and childhood friend, Radha. Men in traditional dress take on the role of gops (friends of Krishna), while women play gopis (friends of Radha).

The men throw the coloured powders and flowers on the women, who fight back by pretending to beat them with bamboo.

It is claimed that the Hindu deity Krishna, who was dark in colour, was jealous of the fair-coloured Radha. He pestered his foster mother Yasodha about it so much that, fed up, she told him he could change Radha's skin by sprinkling her with colours.
Krishna and his shepherd friends visited Radha and her cowherd girls on this day and teased her by throwing colours at her. She and the girls responded by chasing them away with the sticks, or lathis.

The bamboo sticks are said to be an expression of Radha's love - she and the cowherd girls are angry that Krishna and his friends do not live with them all the time.

The Lathmar Holi celebration at Barsana in Mathura is the most famous.


Rain of colours: Men in the village close their eyes as more colour is showered down on them

Rain of colours: Men in the village close their eyes as more colour is showered down on them.Spring colours: Men daubed in coloured powder celebrate the Lathmar Holi, also known as the festival of colours, at Nandgaon village near the northern Indian city of Mathura yesterday

Brilliant: The festival is part of a welcoming of spring.




The men don't seem to mind their clothes being covered in the colours



Hindu women with the bamboo sticks, or lathis, they will use to pretend to beat the men with



Celebration: A man in Nandgaon covered in paint. The festival is held all over India




Love: A woman with a bamboo stick, or lathi, pretends to beat a man, who is protecting himself with a shield. Legend has it that Radha beat Krishna out of anger that he was not living with her

Get books about India.

Guzzling champagne, swigging beer and puffing cigars... how the Canadian women's ice hockey team celebrated winning gold

The morning after the night before can always be a sobering event.

But for Canada's women ice hockey players, the headache might last a lifetime.

The International Olympic Committee has decided to investigate a raucous party the women held on ice after their gold medal victory in Vancouver.

Fears are growing that they could be stripped of their medals for their distinctly un-Olympian efforts.

The women celebrated their 2-0 victory against arch-rivals America by guzzling beer, swigging from bottles of champagne and puffing on cigars.

Unfortunately, they chose to do it on the ice rink, in full view of the public and cameras, rather than in the changing room.

Even worse, star player Marie-Philip Poulin, 18, the youngest in the team and scorer of the two goals, is under British Columbia's legal drinking age of 19. Photos showed Poulin on the ice, with a beer in her hand.

Another player, Haley Irwin, poured champagne into the mouth of teammate Tessa Bonhomme while gold medals swung from their necks.

And one of the women, Rebecca Johnston, even tried to drive the ice-resurfacing machine during the party.

Gilbert Felli, the IOC's executive director of the Olympic Games, said he was unaware of the incidents until informed by a reporter.

'If that's the case, that is not good,' Mr Felli said. 'It is not what we want to see. I don't think it's a good promotion of sport values. If they celebrate in the changing room, that's one thing, but not in public.

'We will investigate what happened.' Steve Keough, a spokesman for the Canadian Olympic Committee, said they had not provided the alcohol nor initiated the party.

In terms of the actual celebration, it's not exactly something uncommon in Canada,' he said, referring to the wild locker-room celebrations that are a tradition in some professional team sports.

'If these athletes were of legal age, then it's not something that's against the law,' he said, adding: 'We don't condone actions of irresponsibility.'

Trying to head off any more problems, Hockey Canada apologised and said the celebrations were the result of the 'excitement of the moment'.

Celebrating with booze is hardly unique to Canadian sports stars.

England's cricketers famously marked their 2005 Ashes victory by partying for at least 24 hours, while more recently Welsh rugby star Andy Powell celebrated a dramatic victory over Scotland by driving a golf trolley down the M4 - a stunt which got him dropped from the team.


The gold winning Canadian team enjoy a bottle of Champagne following the medal's ceremony

Canada's Rebecca Johnston rides on an ice surfacing machine as teammates celebrate their gold medal victory against the U.S.

On ice: The IOC has launched an investigation into the Canadian's exuberant celebrations

Dejected but dignified: Caitlin Cahow and Monique Lamoureux of the United States look on after receiving their silver medals

Haley Irwin of Canada celebrates winning the gold medal with a bottle of bubbly during the ice hockey women's gold medal game between Canada and USA

Haley Irwin and Meghan Agosta of Canada kneel on the ice and celebrate winning the gold medal with bubbly and beer

Haley Irwin and Meghan Agosta of Canada kneel on the ice and celebrate winning the gold medal with bubbly and beer

Causing a stir: Danish curler Madeleine Dupont, 22, has sparked controversy after posing topless for a charity calendar and, right, U.S. snowboarder Scotty Lago voluntarily left the games after an embarrassing picture of him with a fan circulated on the internet