Pope Benedict has called on people to remember the significance of Christ's birth in a groundbreaking Christmas radio message aired by the BBC.
His festive message was delivered through Radio 4's daily "Thought For The Day" slot on the broadcaster's flagship current affairs program, Today.
It is the first time the pope had ever spoken on the three-minute slot and, according to the BBC, the first time he had addressed a Christmas message to one of the countries he had visited during the year.
The pope spent four days visiting England and Scotland in September.
The broadcast provoked anger among British secularists, who criticized the BBC for giving the pope "unquestioned, unchallengeable" access.
compiled from agency reports
His festive message was delivered through Radio 4's daily "Thought For The Day" slot on the broadcaster's flagship current affairs program, Today.
It is the first time the pope had ever spoken on the three-minute slot and, according to the BBC, the first time he had addressed a Christmas message to one of the countries he had visited during the year.
The pope spent four days visiting England and Scotland in September.
The broadcast provoked anger among British secularists, who criticized the BBC for giving the pope "unquestioned, unchallengeable" access.
compiled from agency reports
