By Liz Thomas
Daily Mail
December 24, 2010
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1341330/Popes-peaceful-joyful-Christmas-wish-Britain-historic-radio-recording.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
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| Pope Benedict XVI reminisced with fondness about his visit to the UK |
The Pope today wished Britain a ‘peaceful and joyful’ Christmas as he broadcast Thought for the Day on Radio 4.
In a historic moment, the Pope gave his Christmas message to the nation during the 7.45am slot on the Today programme.
It is the first time that the head of the Catholic Church has made the address – in which he reminisced with ‘fondness’ about his state visit in September.
The 83-year-old pontiff also highlighted the plight of the elderly and the infirm and those facing hardship.
Pope Benedict XVI began his Thought for the Day by saying: ‘Recalling with great fondness my four-day visit to the United Kingdom last September, I am glad to have the opportunity to greet you once again.’
The address was a coup for BBC and director general Mark Thompson, who spent almost a year negotiating with the Vatican. It is the first time the Pope – who recorded his message in Rome on Wednesday – has specifically written a message to be broadcast to the British people.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley said it was the Pope's reception on his recent visit that persuaded him to make the broadcast.
The archbishop told Today: 'I think it was the impact of the visit itself on the Holy Father that surely influenced him.
'I think he was grateful for the way in which he was received here. It was a great opportunity to spread the Christmas message.
'I think with the Holy father you have to ponder, and look quite deeply into what he is saying. Especially on this day, Christmas Eve, he wouldn't have wanted to do other than give the message of the gospel.'
However, the BBC has attracted criticism for allowing the Pope to ‘lecture about morality’, after he faced accusations of being linked to the child abuse scandals involving Catholic priests.
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| Pope Benedict XVI conducts Mass at Bellahouston Park on September 16, 2010 in Glasgow, Scotland. He visited the UK three months ago |
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: ‘The Pope has a lot of questions to answer about the failings of his church and its guilt in covering up child abuse.’
He added that Benedict XVI should instead have faced a grilling from John Humphrys in an interview on the programme.
* The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has praised members of the armed forces serving in Afghanistan as ‘real heroes’ in a Christmas video message to them. He said: ‘I want to say a big “thank you” to all our armed services. You are the best and bravest servicemen in the world and we all owe you a massive debt of gratitude.’
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