Pope Benedict XVI delivered Thought For The Day on BBC Radio 4 on Christmas Eve morning. The Holy Father recorded Thought For The Day in Rome on 22nd December .

Gwyneth Williams, controller of Radio 4, said: “I’m delighted Pope Benedict is sharing his Christmas message with the Radio 4 audience.”

“It’s significant that the Pope has chosen Thought For The Day to give his first personally scripted broadcast – and what better time to do so than on the eve of the biggest celebration on the Christian calendar.”