Pope wishes Eastern Christians for Christmas, encourages children missionaries

(January 06, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday wished the Christians of the Eastern Churches who are celebrating their Christmas on Saturday, Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar. The Pope’s greetings came after he prayed the midday ‘Angelus’ on Friday, Epiphany Day. “Let every family and every community be filled with the light and peace of Christ the Saviour!” the Pope said addressing a large crowd gathered below his studio window in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Pope Benedict also recalled that on Epiphany Day, that celebrates the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus, the Church also observes Children’s Mission Day, sponsored by the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood. “Children of the world, united in groups create a missionary awareness and sustain many projects of solidarity for their peers,” the Pope noted. He urged children to keep their hearts open like the heart of Jesus, and also to be open to the needs of those nearby, always ready to give them a hand.