The Vatican announced Pope Benedict's prayer intentions for the month of December today, calling for an increased focus on those who are sick, elderly or alone this Christmas season.

The Pope's general prayer intention for December is: “That our personal experience of suffering may be an occasion for better understanding the situation of unease and pain which is the lot of many people who are alone, sick or aged, and stir us all to give them generous help.”

His mission intention is: “That the peoples of the earth may open their doors to Christ and to His Gospel of peace, brotherhood and justice.”