Remember Christ at Christmas, Pope says

VATICAN CITY, Dec 24 (Reuters) Pope Benedict urged the world today not to shut Christ out of Christmas and to banish prejudices hindering peace.

Speaking at his Sunday blessing the Pope returned to a theme that has preoccupied him -- the commercialisation of Christmas.

''May his birth not find us busy celebrating Christmas forgetting that he (Jesus) is the very person at the centre of the feast,'' he told thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St, Peter's Square on Christmas Eve.

Ahead of the second Christmas of his pontificate he urged his listeners to remember the many people around the world who would pass it ''in solitude, in sickness and in suffering''.

The real spirit of Christmas was a commitment to ''overcome prejudices, break down barriers and eliminate situations that pit individuals and people against each other in order to build a world of justice and peace together'', the Pope said.

In recent weeks he has spoken out against the decision by some state schools in Italy not to build the traditional nativity scene for fear of offending non-Christians in a multi-racial population.

The Vatican's own larger-than-life nativity scene -- featuring figures of the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals and three kings bearing gifts -- was unveiled in St, Peter's Square this evening.

The Pope looked on from his window and lit a candle symbolising the desire for peace in the world.

The Pope will celebrate midnight mass in St, Peter's Basilica, Christendom's largest church, for thousands of people.

Large television screens have been put up in the square for those who do not find room inside.

Tomorrow he will deliver his traditional ''Urbi et Orbi'' (to the city and the world) message and blessing to crowds in St.

Peter's Square.

REUTERS SP RN0011