Marking end of difficult year, pope says good prevails despite violence, injustice in world

Pope Benedict XVI passes in front of a statue of St. Peter as he arrives in St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate a New Year's Eve vespers service at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (The Associated Press)

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Pope Benedict XVI holds the pastoral staff as he arrives in St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate a New Year's Eve vespers service at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (The Associated Press)

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has marked the end of a difficult year by saying that despite all the death and injustice in the world, goodness prevails.

Benedict celebrated New Year's Eve with a vespers service Monday in St. Peter's Basilica to give thanks for 2012.

In his homily, Benedict said it's tough to remember that goodness prevails when bad news — deaths, violence and injustice — "makes more noise than good." He said taking time to meditate in prolonged reflection and prayer can help "find healing from the inevitable wounds of daily life."

This past year was full of highs and lows for the pope, including a successful trip to Mexico and Cuba but also the betrayal of his butler, convicted of stealing Benedict's personal papers and leaking them to a journalist.