Pope Condemns Commercialization of Christmas

MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - Pope Benedict XVI has condemned the commercialization of Christmas as he held Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

“Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright lights hide the mystery of God’s humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity,” the 84-year-old pope said in his homily.

“Let us ask the Lord to help us see through the superficial glitter of this season, and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem, so as to find true joy and true light,” he said.

About 10,000 people attended Christmas Eve Mass.

Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and some Orthodox churches mark Christmas on December 25 in line with the Gregorian calendar.

The Russian, Jerusalem, Serbian and Georgian Orthodox churches, Athos monasteries, some Catholics and some Protestants celebrate the feast on January 7 in line with the Julian calendar.