Rome - Pope Benedict XVI late Wednesday led the Vatican's Christmas festivities by celebrating the traditional Midnight Mass.

Thousands of Catholics, including many foreigners, flocked to St Peter's Basilica as Benedict presided over the ceremony. Many more followed the somber proceedings on giant video screens in the cold of St Peter's square.

Earlier, the 81-year-old pontiff appeared briefly from a window overlooking St Peter's Square to light a candle symbolizing Peace.

Benedict's gesture followed the unveiling in the square of a Nativity Scene, or crib, that recreates the scene of Jesus' birth.

It is the fourth year that Benedict has celebrated mass as pope. (dpa)