JESUS CHRIST - AUDIENCE OF 7,000 MAKE FILM HISTORY AT THE VATICAN

LATEST: More than 7,000 film fans made history in Italy last night (26NOV06) when they attended the first world premiere held at the Vatican. THE NATIVITY STORY, a new movie about the birth of JESUS CHRIST, debuted as part of a benefit in the hallowed Paul VI Hall. POPE BENEDICT XVI was not present for the screening, but US Archbishop JOHN FOLEY led the event by praising the film and giving director CATHERINE HARDWICKE the Vatican's stamp of approval. Hardwicke was thrilled by the special screening and insisted she never expected the Pope to attend: "I think the Pope is pretty busy."