WASHINGTON — Americans may have renamed French fries as "freedom fries" this war year and joked often about balky ally France. But that country was the focus of healing gestures Wednesday by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It honored Jean-David Levitte, France's ambassador to America, by making him the keynote speaker at its annual ceremony to illuminate 400,000 Christmas lights at its Washington Temple — a rite attended by diplomats from 59 countries.

"Vive la France," said Elder J.W. Marriott Jr., a member of the Seventy who is more widely known for his hotel empire. "God Bless America," Levitte said in turn before they jointly turned on the lights.

Levitte, Elder Marriott and LDS members of Congress used the ceremony to call for healing and improved international relations — especially between the United States and France after their falling out over the war in Iraq. All said the temple lights are a sign of the hope, healing and peace that Christ offers to a troubled world.

Levitte noted he was France's ambassador to the United Nations on Sept. 11, 2001— and watched from his office window as the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed.

As a gesture to remember those who died then and in subsequent war, he said, "May these 400,000 lights . . . commemorate all those everywhere who have sacrificed their lives to create a better world for their children and their grandchildren." Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., who is LDS and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the crowd that "France was this country"s first ally." Levitte said that began with French help of America in the Revolutionary War, which America returned in World Wars I and II.

Levitte said France is planning a big celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day next year. "For all my countrymen, it will provide an opportunity to say once again from the bottom of our hearts, we will never forget. Thank you, America." In the ongoing efforts against the darkness of terrorism, Levitte said, "All of the nations of the world want to turn toward the light and away from darkness." He added, "Dear friends, may the 400,000 lights that we are about to kindle bring the world our message, our message of goodwill, peace and hope." Smith said, "At Christmas time, it is a time to heal and come together in the fellowship that Christ provides."

Smith also said that France is important to LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, whose oldest brother, Stanford, was killed and buried there in World War I. "President Hinckley goes there frequently and reflects upon the cost of liberty on both sides of the Atlantic," Smith said.