Cultural pressures destroying families, says Pope

Pope Benedict XVI today dedicated one of his last public messages in 2006 to families, who he said were assailed by cultural pressures threatening to destroy the family as a social institution.

"With joy I greet all the families of the world, wishing them the peace and love which Jesus gave us, coming among us at Christmas," Benedict said, in his last scheduled address of the year from his studio window overlooking St Peter's Square, where pilgrims, tourists and Romans were gathered.