Pope Benedict has recorded a Christmas message especially for the UK, to be broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Eve.
It will go out as the Thought For The Day on the Today programme on Radio 4.
It is the first time that Pope Benedict has addressed a Christmas message especially for one of the countries he has visited during the year.
The BBC’s David Willey says it is the Pope’s way of saying thank you for what he regarded as a hugely successful trip to England and Scotland in September.
He speaks of his great fondness for Britain and asks listeners to step back for a moment to consider the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Vatican correspondent says.
via bbc.co.uk