Syrian Christians ‘pray for peace’

25/12/12 AFP – In the heart of Damascus, more than 1,000 people attended Christmas mass on Monday, praying for peace to return to Syria, after almost two years of bloodshed. “I pray that peace and safety returns to the hearts of all Syrians,” said Heba Shawi, 24, a Catholic attending mass at Notre Dame church in the Damascus district of Qusur. “I hope the smiles come back to children’s faces.” On other years, majority Christian areas in central Damascus were heavily decorated for the festive season