Pope's Christmas message urges end to Syria violence

Pope Benedict XVI has used his traditional Christmas Day message to pray for an end to the bloodshed in Syria.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church said: "May the Lord bring an end to the violence in Syria, where much blood has already been shed." He also urged the world to help famine victims in the Horn of Africa.

The "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message was broadcast around the world in 65 languages.