Pope John Paul II has included prayers for the victims of the Asian tsunami in his New Year's Day Mass marking the Roman Catholic Church's annual World Day of Peace.

Thousands of pilgrims attended the Pope's outdoor Mass Saturday at the Vatican. John Paul II also led a Mass for the tsunami victims in his private chapel overnight.

In his peace message, the pontiff called for greater cooperation among the world's religions, and for promotion of peace through dialogue, justice and forgiveness.

He urged the world's one billion Roman Catholics to, "win the fight over evil with the armies of love."