The traditional Christian procession walk past the Church of Nativity, believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008. Tourists from all over the world were expected to flock to Jesus' traditional birthplace on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas Eve. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Christians celebrated Bethlehem's merriest Christmas in eight years Wednesday, with hotels booked solid, Manger Square bustling with families and Israeli and Palestinian forces cooperating to make things run smoothly.
Pope Benedict XVI also spoke of peace between Israelis and Palestinians during Midnight Mass at the Vatican.
"Jesus was the prince of peace, and he can bring that peace to you. We pray for you," Bogenrief told a gaggle of children who gathered to listen.