Pope John Paul appealed to the world today to seize the Christmas spirit and generously help survivors of southern Asia's devastating tsunami.
"The international community and many humanitarian organisations rapidly mobilised assistance. Many Church charity institutions are doing the same," the Pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, said in an address read by a senior aide.
"In the Christmas spirit of these days, I invite all of the faithful and men of good will to contribute generously to this great solidarity effort for a population already hard hit and exposed now to the risk of disease," he said.
The Vatican said it had raised $6 million in aid so far through Church charities to support relief efforts.
The pope said he was praying for survivors. "I'm very close to them, with affection and prayer, especially those who are injured and homeless, while I entrust to divine mercy the innumerable people who have lost their lives," he said.