ROME -- As Christians round the world were starting Christmas celebrations Sunday, Pope John Paul II called for show of solidarity with the needy in a bid to reach out to those "who unfortunately spend these days in loneliness and sorrow".

"How much more enjoyable will the festivities be if we share our joy not only with our families and friends but also with those looking to use for care," the head of the Roman Catholic Church said in his traditional Angelus prayers on Christmas eve.

Speaking from a window of his private quarters, the 80-year-old Pope wished believers gathered in St. Peter's Square a "Merry Christmas" and invited them to attend midnight mass. The Pope was cheered by the crowds who chanted "Long Live the Pope".

Midnight mass in St. Peter's Square was expected to draw tens of thousands of churchgoers.

Italian media reports said that in view of the stream of pilgrims the Pope that insisted on celebrating an open air mass despite the reservations raised by his aides. His aides had urged him the celebrate mass inside St. Peter's cathedral for security reasons.

Pope Paul VI was the last head of the Roman Catholic Church to celebrate an outdoor mass in the square in 1975.

(DPA)