International Day of Peace is marked by the Pope at the Vatican

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Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead a mass at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead a mass at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead a mass at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI, during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI, during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI blesses children dressed as the wise kings during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI, during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI blesses children as he celebrates a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI holds his pastoral staff during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI (C) is helped as he celebrates the mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI, during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican

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Pope Benedict XVI (R) and Card. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State (L) during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI holds his pastoral staff during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI holds his pastoral staff during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of the mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican

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Benedict XVI, wearing white vestments with gold-colored trimmings, celebrated Mass on a day the Vatican dedicates to world peace. Vatican City, Italy. 1st January 2012

The Pontiff in his New Year's homily Sunday praised young people as key to securing a future of hope despite what he called "shadows on the horizon of today's world." In the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica, with ambassadors to the Holy See from dozens of countries seated in the front rows, Benedict XVI, wearing white vestments with gold-colored trimmings, celebrated Mass on a day the Vatican dedicates to world peace