Pope Francis: Christmas is the time to once more discover who we are
About 10 000 people have gathered in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican City to hear Pope Francis deliver his traditional Christmas message. Pope has warned the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics not to be "intoxicated" by possessions in his annual Christmas homily. He called for more sobriety in a world obsessed by "consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance". Celebrating Mass, the Pope said Christmas was the time to "once more discover who we are". Security was tight at the service with police carrying out spot checks in the area surrounding the Vatican. Everyone who went into the basilica, the largest church in Christendom, had to pass through metal detectors. The Pope, 79, used his homily to reflect the key themes of three years in office - mercy, compassion, empathy and justice. "In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential," he said. Later on Friday he will deliver his traditional Christmas message from the central balcony of St Peter's Square. His voice was occasionally hoarse - the effect of a slight flu earlier this week.
