Amid the recent comments from the Vatican on the waves of "Christianophobia", Pope John Paul II yesterday once again urged Christians worldwide to embrace the true meaning of Christmas.

His concerns have been raised since some of the Italian state schools cancelled Nativity plays and cribs because of the alleged sensitivities of immigrant Muslim children.

The Pope commented that the Nativity scene is "a familiar and expressive representation of Christmas" and Christmas traditions should remain as "an important element of our culture and faith". He argued that the recent developments are threatening the faith of Christians.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini also said, "Exaggerated attacks on Christmas traditions reflect a much wider attitude."

Yesterday, the Pope presided over a ceremonial switching-on of Christmas tree lights in St Peter's Square, where 10,000 pilgrims attended. The Pope took the chance to remind people about the religious meaning of Christmas by citing a phrase from Psalm, "It is a royal psalm which portrays a just and devout king who defends the poor and the oppressed."

The Vatican officials believe that the two major factors that are hindering the growth of Christianity in Europe are the persecutions from other religions as well as secularisation.

In particular, legalisation of same-sex marriage, liberalising abortion laws and stem-cell research in Catholic Spain have become an alarm bell for the Vatican to take action against the increasing influential "anti-religious forces".

The Pope warned the visiting Catholic bishops from England and Wales a year ago, "The 'loss of a sense of God' was leading to 'social disintegration, threats to family life and the ugly spectres of racial intolerance and war, leaving many - especially the young - feeling disorientated and even at times without hope'."

Currently, Vatican officials are even campaigning to have "Christianophobia" recognised by the United Nations.

Alberto Melloni, a professor specialising in Church History, commented, "Church leaders were playing the victim and dreaming of a return to a lost form of Christianity."