Pope Benedict XVI turned the spotlight on the plight of children who are abused, forced to live on the streets or serve as soldiers, at his Christmas Midnight Mass.

ROME’S diocese said yesterday it has barred the producers of Angels & Demons from filming in two churches for the prequel to The Da Vinci Code, the popular book and film that angered many Catholic leaders.

Filming of the sequel to the 'Da Vinci Code' has been banned in two key Rome churches.

Pope Benedict XVI ushered in Christmas today by celebrating midnight Mass in St Peter's Basilica, where he urged people to set aside time in their lives for God and the needy.