The Pope celebrated Christmas midnight mass in St Peter's Basilica attended by some 10,000 people and watched by tens of millions live on television in more than 70 countries, including several predominantly Muslim nations.
The 84-year-old Pope, who has difficulty speaking because of his illness, lessened the strain this year, limiting his sermon to a mere eight paragraphs - the shortest of his 27 Christmas seasons as Pontiff.
No longer able to walk, he sat slightly bent on his wheeled throne in festive gold vestments and appeared very pensive at times.
"Look upon us, eternal Son of God, who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. All humanity, with its burden of trials and troubles, stands in need of you," he said, breathing deeply between his words.
The short sermon recounted the Christmas story of the child Jesus born of the Virgin Mary in a manger and lying helpless in swaddling clothes.
"You are born on this night, our divine Redeemer, and, in our journey along the paths of time, you become for us the food of eternal life," the Pope said.
During the solemn mass, attended by representatives of some 150 governments, the Pope also read a prayer so that "peace, announced by the angels on this holy night is enjoyed by all the humanity that God loves."
Christ's birthplace of Bethlehem was not far the Pope's mind or that of the worshippers inside Christendom's largest church.