Rome - Pope Benedict XVI in traditional New Year's Day services in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City called for peace in all the world and specifically the Middle East.

The pontiff expressed the hope that "the deep longing for peace by the great majority of Israeli and Palestinian population" would withstand the "massive violence" in the Gaza Strip.

At the same time, the pope criticized again every form of arms build up and called for a "global solidarity" to create peace.

"Violence, hate and mistrust are also forms of poverty," Benedict said.

The Catholic Church has celebrated World Peace Day every January 1 since 1967. (dpa)