At a Mass at St Peter's Basilica, the Pope prayed for God to "implant his peace in our hearts" but also to "break the rods of the oppressors".

Security was tight. Last year at the same Mass a woman jumped the barriers and lunged at the Pope.

Meanwhile at a Mass in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, a senior cleric called for peace in the Middle East.

Later on Saturday, the Pope will deliver his Christmas message to the city of Rome and the world.

Then he will host a Christmas lunch in the Vatican's audience hall for 350 homeless people.