Blasts as pope calls for peace

VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI issued pleas for peace to reign across the world during his traditional Christmas address yesterday, a call marred by Muslim extremists who attacked Christian churches in Nigeria, including bombing a Catholic Mass.

Benedict didn’t refer explicitly to the Nigerian bombings in his speech, in which he raised alarm about world hot spots. But, in a statement, the Vatican called the attacks a sign of “cruelty and absurd, blind hatred” that shows no respect for human life.

Elsewhere, Christmas was celebrated with the typical joy of the season. In the Holy Land, despite lashing rains and wind, pilgrims and locals alike flocked to Jesus’ traditional birthplace in numbers not seen since before the Palestinian uprising more than a decade ago.

“We wanted to be part of the action,” said Don Moore, 41, a psychology professor from Berkeley, Calif., who went to Bethlehem with his family. “This is the place. This is where it all started. It doesn’t get any more special than that.”

The holy town of Bethlehem is no stranger to violence. Like the rest of the West Bank, it fell on hard times after the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation broke out in late 2000.

But, as the violence has subsided, tourists have returned in large numbers. The turnout for Christmas Eve festivities was at its highest since the uprising began driving tourists away.

An estimated 100,000 visitors streamed into Manger Square on Saturday, up from 70,000 the previous year, according to the Israeli military’s count.