Christmas 2012 Features Prayers for Peace, Mourning, Violent Weather

Christmas has come and gone across much of the globe. Along with joyful feasts and gift-giving, this year was marked by prayers for peace and mourning for young victims of gun violence.

Pope Benedict prayed Tuesday that "peace would spring up for the people of Syria," where a civil war has killed tens of thousands, mostly civilians.

Addressing thousands of pilgrims at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Benedict also called for peace in Mali, where al-Qaida-linked militants occupy part of the country, and Nigeria, where terrorism by Islamist extremists has killed hundreds

Pilgrims from all over the world gathered in the West Bank town of Bethlehem to celebrate at the place where Christians believe Jesus was born.


Photo Gallery: Christmas in Bethlehem


Roman Catholic bishop Fouad Twal urged Palestinians to work with Israelis to end the region's seemingly endless conflict.

In the United States, 26 candles burned in Newtown, Connecticut amid piles of snow-covered teddy bears and Christmas stockings at a memorial for the victims of the December 14 elementary school massacre. Twenty young children who were looking forward to opening presents and celebrating with family Tuesday are instead being mourned along with six teachers who died trying to protect them.

Severe weather made for a dangerous holiday in other parts of the country. Snow, sleet and ice covered highways in the midwest while heavy rain and tornadoes threatened parts of the south.

Despite cold weather, the festivities continued late into the evening, with some tourists calling it a moving experience.