VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict said in his New Year's message
on Tuesday he hoped 2013 would be a year of peace and that the world was
under threat from unbridled capitalism, terrorism and criminality.
The
85-year-old pope rang in the new year with a mass for about 10,000
people in St Peter's Basilica on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks
its World Day of Peace with initiatives around the world.
He
also spoke of peace after the mass, addressing tens of thousands of
people who had followed the service from outside in St Peter's Square.
"A
new year is like a trip. With the light and the grace of God, may it be
the start of a path to peace for every person, every family, every
country and for the entire world," he said from his window overlooking
the square.