Pope Benedict XVI has called on wealthy nations to accept and welcome migrants who have fled hunger, intolerance and environmental problems in their homeland.

After giving his traditional Christmas address, the urbi et orbi, from the balcony at St Peter's in Rome, the pontiff wished the world a happy Christmas in 65 languages. He appeared unaffected by the events of yesterday evening, when a young woman rushed at him and knocked him to the ground as he approached the altar to say Mass on Christmas Eve.

The woman, described by the Vatican as emotionally unbalanced, was immediately apprehended and has been taken to a clinic for examination. She also disrupted last year's Midnight Mass at St Peter's. An 87-year-old cardinal who also fell during the woman's attack had to be taken to hospital with a fracture.