(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons )   BY DAN KENNEDY   ANCHOR JASMINE BAILEY   It’s an annual Christmas highlight for Catholics around for the world. And that tradition continued Monday as the Pope celebrated Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The BBC highlights his message. “He prayed that Israelis and Palestinians would be able to live their lives in peace. He also prayed for peace in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.” Pope Benedict warned of the consequences of society rejecting God and religion. And called on Christians and Muslims to build up their countries side by side in God’s peace. According to Sky News , the Christmas Eve Mass traditionally begins at midnight. But that start time was moved up two hours to give the 85-year-old pontiff more time to rest for his Christmas Day speech. The Pope returns to the Vatican to deliver that speech noon on Christmas Day.