Christmas is a time to open your heart to the little and wondrous things found in baby Jesus -- born poor and defenceless so he could be near and bring hope to everyone, Pope Francis said.
"The most beautiful joy of Christmas is that inner joy of peace: the Lord wiped away my sins, the Lord has forgiven me, the Lord had mercy on me, he came to save me. That is the joy of Christmas," the Pope said on December 14 at his weekly general audience.
With a Nativity scene decorating the stage in the Vatican audience hall, the Pope's weekly meeting with visitors and pilgrims was festive with a group of "zampognari," Italian bagpipe players, who played traditional songs and carols.
