ROME  Pope Benedict XVI called Saturday for political leaders to express solidarity with Christians in Iraq and to work for peace in the Middle East and other war-torn regions in his annual Christmas greeting.

“May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East,” the pope said in his “Urbi et Orbi” message to the city and the world. “May it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity,” he added.

The plight of Christians in the Middle East has been a particular concern to the Vatican since the start of the war in Iraq in 2003, and it was the theme of a meeting of bishops in October.