Under clear blue skies and sunshine Pope Benedict welcomes the faithful to St. Peters Square.
In his New years message he said he hoped 2013 would be a year of peace.
He called on people to accept the love of Jesus Christ.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE BENEDICT SAYING:
"I send to all the most cordial good wishes for the New Year: that it can be a really good year, and it will be if we accept in us and among us, the love that Christ has given us."
The 85-year-old Pope, is marking his eighth New Years as the head of the Catholic Church.