Pope Benedict XVI has given his first public address of the year. Speaking two days after the hanging of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein – an event the Vatican condemned as “tragic” – the Pontiff said world peace could only be achieved if human rights were respected, stressing that there could be no excuse for treating people like “objects”.

The Pope also referred to the situation in the Middle East, asking: “How can we not turn our attention to the awful situation in the land where Jesus was born?” He called on the faithful to pray for peace in the region as soon as possible.

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