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Pope Addressed Tens of Thousands in St. Peter's Square During His Traditional Christmas Blessing; President Barack Obama Released Christmas Message from Hawaii; Remembering Celebrities that Died in 2014

Aired December 25, 2014 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


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RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In turn, that hit oil dependent economies like Russia especially hard. Russia cited oil prices as the main reason it slipped into recession. Gas prices follow. It gives consumers a break ahead of the holiday shopping season. The national average for a gallon of gas fall as full dollar from the year and in some places gas prices dropped below $2 a gallon.

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PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: Thank you to Christine Romans and Richard Quest for that. You can catch top ten of 2014 special on CNN Sunday evening at 6:30 eastern time right here on CNN.

And coming up on this Christmas day, Pope Francis delivers a Christmas message with a stern call to action.

And NASA has found a possible clue to life on Mars. Find out what has scientists so intrigued.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, (INAUDIBLE) wishing a merry Christmas back home to my family, friends, and my husband and two sons. I'll be home soon.

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BROWN: This morning Pope Francis reminded the world that many people are suffering this Christmas day. The Pope addressed tens of thousands in St. Peter's square during his traditional Christmas blessing and he said conflicts in the Middle East are driving too many people from their homes.

POPE FRANCIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH POPE (through translator): I ask him, the savior of the world, to look upon our brothers and sisters in Iraq and in Syria who for such a long time have been suffering the effects of ongoing conflict and who together with those belonging to other ethnic and religious groups are suffering a brutal persecution.

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BROWN: CNN's Vatican analyst John Allen has more on Pope Francis' call to action.

JOHN ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Hello there, first of all, and merry Christmas.

Pope Francis today delivered his traditional Christmas day addresses which known as Urbi at Orbi address to the city in the world. And it was a somewhat somber and clearly preoccupied Pope about the state of the world we heard from today. He began by denouncing a brutal persecution in Iraq and Syria although he didn't mention ISIS by name. It was clear the reference was to the rise of the Islamic state. He became visually emotional talking about the suffering of children around the world.

He said that far too many children are abused and exploited. He said this Christmas time there are so many tears that join the tears of the infant Jesus. He talked about not only the victims of abortion but children who are forcibly enrolled as child soldiers who dies as he described them in bombardments and so on. And denounced what he called the silent complicity of a globalization of indifference.

So, it was a somewhat sober wakeup call from the pope. And underneath all of that was the idea that these situations aren't just commutable, that isn't can't be change. He was calling on the world to do something about them. That was the message of peace and of action. We heard from Pope Francis in Christmas 2014.

Reporting, this is John Allen for CNN in Rome.

BROWN: John Allen, thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well.

Well, the first family is spending the holidays in Hawaii. And today the president and first lady took time out to wish Americans a very merry Christmas. But they also had a special message to share with the nation.

CNN White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski has been traveling with the president this Christmas day.

So Michelle, tell us about this special message. It's more of a request of all Americans, is that right?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) from beautiful Waikiki beach, Pam.

Yes, the president is on vacation with his family. You know, he grew up in Hawaii. He still has family members that live here. So much of this is going to be private time that the press doesn't see. We know that they've been enjoying days out together at the beach. The president has been doing a lot of golfing. But in their Christmas message they really highlighted support for U.S. troops just as the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan is finally ending. It started in 2001. Here's part of that message now.

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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In just a few days, our combat mission in Afghanistan will be over. Our longest war will come to a responsible end and that gives us an opportunity to step back and reflect upon all that these families have given us. We're able to gather with family and friends because troops are willing to hug theirs good-bye and step forward to serve. After a long day, we can come home because they're willing to leave their families and deploy. We can celebrate the holiday because they're willing to miss their own.

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KOSINSKI: And something that the president has done in Christmases past here is visit with U.S. troops that are stationed here. There are hundreds of them on U.S. base on (INAUDIBLE). So we expect the president to possibly do some of that. He usually takes picture with the troops, helps them with dinner and sometimes says a few words. So nothing yet on the president's schedule on this Christmas morning here but we'll wait and see. We expect him to make a visit probably in the next couple of hours -- Pam.

BROWN: OK. Michelle Kosinski, thank you so much for that. We appreciate it.

Can't get over how beautiful it is there.

Well, is there life in the solar system beyond earth? That is the question that has haunted scientists for decades. And there are some new clues from Mars that could bring them closer to figuring out that puzzle. That's just ahead. Stay with us.

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STACEY MOORE, MAJOR: I'm Major Stacy Moore from Baghdad, Iraq. And I would like to wish a very merry Christmas and happy new year to my friends and family in Omaha, Nebraska.

JARED ARANETA, PV2: Hi. My name is PV2 Jared Araneta stationed in Ft. Campbell. I just want to say hi to my beautiful wife, Rose, and my son and my daughter, Elijah and Aliyah (ph). Happy holidays. And I'll see you guys soon.

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BROWN: Welcome back.

Well, for nearly as long as mankind has looked to the heavens, we have wondered are we alone? Well, the NASA Mars Rover has turned up an interesting clue that may provide the answer, Methane gas.

Here's CNN's Erin McLaughlin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm scanning for activity for sense of hostile anti-Martian activity.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): NASA hasn't exactly found the equal to Marvin the Martian. But they may be getting closer to finding life on Mars, all thanks to the rover, Curiosity. Since 2012, Curiosity has been scouring and ancient Martian crater looking for signs of methane. Methane is one of the simplest organic molecules and organics are necessary for life. So what curiosity found give scientists hope over a period of 16 Martian days, much longer than earth days, detected burps are sudden increases in methane in the crater's atmosphere. Scientists say the detections of just methane comes from a localized source and possibly from bacteria beneath the surface.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We only know of life in one place in the universe and that's on earth. If we find it in a second place, suddenly our entire understanding of the universe changes that we are not alone.

MCLAUGHLIN: Much more work needs to be done to determine the source of the methane. It is possible the gas may not be from life at all. Scientists say more measurements of one of these so-called burps could reveal crucial clues. Short of that, in 2019, Europe Exomars rover is due to land. Exomars is equipped with a six-foot drill.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who do you think you are? Real Martians?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are.

MCLAUGHLIN: So maybe one day humanity will discover what was once the stuff that movies and TV, is a reality.

Erin McLaughlin, CNN, London.

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BROWN: Well, many consider this person America's poet Lauriat. He was basically a classically trained actor though he is most remembered for co-starring with cartoon characters. They are just two of the famous faces who died during the past year. Celebrities, politician, news makers, remember each in our own way.

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PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, ACTOR: I want to be a doctor. This isn't a game to me. This isn't playtime. This is serious business.

ANN DAVIS, ACTRESS: It is not that I haven't completely understands. Some of the happiest moments of my life have been spent right here in this house.

ROBIN WILLIAMS, ACTOR: Can I ask you about love that caught me sonar (ph). But you never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Someone that could level you with her eyes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cigars, cigarettes? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Betty?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Long time no see.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are you doing here?

JOAN RIVERS, ACTRESS: You go through life once. It's all about looking good. And what would you rather an old face out coming of a new car or new face out of an old car?

MAYA ANGELOU, AUTHOR: Here on the path of this new day, you may have the Grace to look up and out and into your sister's eyes and into your brother's face. Your country and say simply, very simply, with hope good morning.

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BROWN: Well some states got a white Christmas. Others got some less pleasant weather. Jennifer has your forecast coming up.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would like to wish my family back in Golden, North Carolina a merry Christmas and happy new year and also to my beautiful wife, Jessica, and my daughter, daddy misses you.

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BROWN: Welcome back, everybody. Look at this gorgeous picture in Honolulu, Hawaii, where President Obama is spending the holiday. He'll be meeting with troops today and I'm sure a lot of you probably have weather envy looking at this live picture here because it's a very different story elsewhere. In fact, parts of the country got a white Christmas and the snow is going to hang around for some we're told. Others of us looking at a soggy few days just ahead.

CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray has our forecast.

JENNIFER GRAY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Pamela, after a busy couple of days weather-wise leading up to Christmas, actually Christmas day not looking bad at all. That rain has pushed out of the northeast. Sunshine is returning for much of the east. We do have snow working its way into the Rockies. So a little snowy, a white Christmas, for a lot of folks in the west. And look at this. Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings in effect anywhere from Salt Lake City, Idaho falls, Mesilla (ph), Billings included in, and even rapid cities. So we're going to see lots of snow falling anywhere from two to four inches in a lot of places. But isolated amounts up to a foot and yet, in those higher elevations getting some snow as well.

So here's the forecast radar going forward in time. The snow will stick around in the Rockies and eventually lead to a soggy weekend across much of the south, even into the east by Sunday working its way into the northeast. So what we're looking at, one to three inches of rain possibly, a

portion of Mississippi, Alabama, even into Tennessee. And this rain will work in, like we said, Sunday afternoon into the northeast.

So tomorrow's forecast we'll see partly cloudy skies in the south. If you are taking back anything, redeeming those gift cards, a lot of people will be out shopping. Snow, again, in the Rockies. Sunny, though, in the northeast and staying mild. Actually, a really nice forecast for you.

High temperatures would be around 53 in D.C., 48 New York City, 50 in Chicago, 33 in Minneapolis, 27 in Billings.

And this is a sneak peek at your weekend forecast. New York City, clouds move in Saturday. Rain expected Saturday with 44 your high temperature. Chicago, temperatures close to 50 degrees tomorrow. And then you'll be cooling off, 32 by Sunday in Atlanta. Not so bad. The clouds return for the weekend. But temperatures will be in the 60s -- Pamela.

BROWN: Alright, 60s, we'll take that as not so bad. Thank you Jennifer Gray.

Well, it was a year of scandal, celebration, and tragedy in the world of entertainment. We are going to tell you our top ten stories of the year next.

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JAMES HADLER (PH), SERGEANT FIRST CLASS: Hello. I'm sergeant first class James Hadler (ph). I'm with 1100 (INAUDIBLE) at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. I'd like to say merry Christmas to my wife Susan Hadler (ph), my son, Ben, and my daughter Jamie in Delta, Pennsylvania.

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BROWN: Well you might expect a movie about doing away with the leader of North Korea to be in high demand of the other side of the 38th parallel. But as it turns out, South Koreans aren't exactly gripped by today's release of "the Interview."

Our Kyung Lah has more.

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KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: While the United States has been embroiled in the on off, on again release of "the Interview," here in Seoul, South Korea, which sits just 60 kilometers from North Korea, the movie isn't on any big screens at all.

Here on Christmas day is just another at that movies for the domestic's won. Most of the movies shown in this country right now are local, domestic made movies. "The Interview" was never to be released here. Sony Pictures saying that said they thought the sense of humor simply wouldn't resonate among Koreans.

But this man says now after all of the controversy, he's actually interested in trying to see it.

But this man says frankly he doesn't think the trailer looks very funny and he wouldn't pay money to actually see it.

South Koreans can see the movie. They are just going to have to stream it on personal computers or their personal devices.

Kyung Lah, CNN, Seoul.

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BROWN: Thank you to our Kyung Lah in Seoul, South Korea.

Well, the fight over "the Interview" might be the last big entertainment story for the year. But it is not the only one that kept us fascinated in 2014. "ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT" correspondent and CNN contributor Nischelle Turner takes a look back at the top ten entertainment stories of the year.

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NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: "Frozen" fever. This has won two academy awards and made over a billion, yes that is a billion with a B, a billion dollars worldwide. And that song, again, what was it? Because of that song, the "Frozen" sound track has become the best selling album of the year.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Today the sad news, the comedian Joan Rivers has passed way at the age of 81.

TURNER: The comedy world and well, all of us who loved to laugh mourned the passing of an icon when Joan Rivers died in September of this year. She was 81 years old and died of complications while undergoing a minor surgery. All of Hollywood came out to mourn her. Goodbye, Joan.

So what do we want to call her? Sizzle swift, Taylor swift, chaching. She became the first female artist to have three albums sold more than one million copies in one week. (INAUDIBLE) of that girl. Also, she said bye-bye to Spotify. Taylor pulled her music from the streaming service and proved well, they need her, more than she needs them.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR, CNN TONIGHT: We are now hearing from Bill Cosby's attorney, right, denying all allegations.

TURNER: We're talking about Bill Cosby and his fall from Grace in 2014. More than 20 women have now come forward and said Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them. NBC has now cancelled his upcoming project and Netflix has postponed this comedy special.

Celebrities and selfies seem to go hand and hand these days. But what happened when those personal photos become public spotter? A number of pictures of A-list celebrities where hacked into and released to the public, pictures of people liken Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton. J-lo didn't take this one line down, though. No, she called it a sexual violation and of crime.

This was super bowl Sunday. But the news that overshadowed the game was the death of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Yes, the Oscar-winning actor died in February after an accidental overdose. Celebrities took to social media to pay condolences. Everyone seemed to say he was a good man that made great movies.

I think we're all still talking about what happens in an elevator doesn't stay in an elevator. Yes, the fight is still on, Jay-Z in the elevator at the Met Gala, Beyonce standing to the side. Everyone said what's going on with this marriage? Are they breaking up, are they getting a divorce? Well, Beyonce and Jay-Z gave us a little answer at the mTV video music awards. He got a big kiss from his wife which said to us, mind your business.

Jay Leno said farewell. David letterman announced he was leaving too. Now we're seeing a new breed of late night hosts. Colbert is taking over for "day with Letterman." Of course, Jimmy Fallon took over for Jay Leno and he didn't miss a beat.

I'm talking about weddings. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, they got married, too much fanfare in Italy. So we all see Kim Kardashian post every single moment of her life on Instagram. Well, that kiss, it became the most liked picture on Instagram gram this year.

Then, there was Brangelina. They surprise us all. How do they keep that secret? Well, because they're private. That's how. And then, of course, there is Hollywood royalty of all royalty, George Clooney. How did Amal Alamuddin get him to walk down the aisle? I need to talk to that lady. Because whatever secret she's got, I want.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR, THE SITUATION ROOM: Tonight, we learned that Robin Williams, treasured by millions, has died.

TURNER: There's not a lot that shocks us in Hollywood anymore, but this one stunned us all. I'm talking about the passing of Robin Williams. He was 63 and Williams was sober. We now know he was struggling with severe depression and early stages of Parkinson's disease. Robin Williams was loved and beloved in Hollywood. He was a husband, he was father, and to all of us just, he was just kind of our favorite guy. His legacy will live on and he will never be forgotten.

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BROWN: Thank you so much to our Nischelle Turner. And you can catch the top ten of 2014 special right here on CNN. It is hosted by Brooke Baldwin, Sunday evening at 6:30 eastern time.

Well, that does it for me. Have a happy holiday, everyone. It was so nice to have you along with me today.

And before your own Christmas feast, well, let's see what Anthony Bourdain has got cooking. PARTS UNKNOWN Starts right now.