(Adds Pope addressing St. Peter's Square, paragraphs 6-7) By Robin Pomeroy VATICAN CITY, Jan 1 (Reuters) - World peace can only be achieved if individuals' human rights are respected, Pope Benedict said in his first public address of the year, stressing that there can be no excuse for treating people as "objects". Two days after the hanging of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein -- an event the Vatican condemned as "tragic" -- the Pope said on Monday that human rights must be put at the heart of the global struggle to end war. "It is because every human individual, without distinction of race, culture or religion, is created in the image and likeness of God, that he is filled with the same dignity of person," Benedict said in a homily in St. Peter's Basilica. "That is why he must be respected. No reason can ever justify doing with him whatever one pleases, as if he is an object," he told thousands of worshippers at a New Year mass. Quoting from a message he issued in December to mark the Church's World Day of Peace on Jan. 1, Benedict said: "by respecting the person, peace is promoted" and called on nations to work for a world where "human rights are respected by all". Marking his second New Year since succeeding John Paul II, the 79-year-old Pontiff returned to the same theme when he addressed pilgrims in St. Peter's Square later in the day. "Today people speak a lot about human rights, but it is often forgotten they these need a stable base, not one that is relative or a matter of opinion." That meant respect for individuals and freedom to practice religion, he said. The Pope used his sermon on world peace to single out the Middle East. "How can we not turn our attention, once again, to the awful situation right in the land where Jesus was born? How can we not implore through persistent prayer that the day of peace also arrives in that region as soon as possible?"
