Pope Laments Christmas Consumerism, Glitter

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI is decrying the commercialization of Christmas and urging the faithful to look beyond the holiday’s “superficial glitter” to discover its true meaning.

Benedict made the comments Saturday night as he presided over Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass kicks off an intense two weeks of public appearances that will test the 84-year-old pontiff’s stamina amid signs that fatigue is starting to slow him down.

In his homily, Benedict laments that Christmas’ commercialization obscures the simplicity of the message of Christ’s birth.

He says: “Let us ask the Lord to help us see through the superficial glitter of this season, and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem…”