Pope album joins race for Christmas number one

The annual battle for the Christmas Number One is already shaping up to be a battle between rapper Jay-Z, former Take That frontman Robbie Williams, Britain's Got Talent spinster singer Susan Boyle - and the Pope.

Benedict XVI is to release an album on November 30, just in time for the end-of-year sales charts. Sales could be huge if his Holiness's debut, an album of litanies and popular chants, connects to just a small percentage of the world's one billion Catholics.

The eight-track album Alma Mater is being released by Geffen, the record label whose artists have included Nirvana, Guns 'n' Roses and Donna Summer. Geffen UK president Colin Barlow said listeners would be "shocked" by the Pontiff's "incredible" voice. "The great thing about the Pope is that he's got a fantastic tone, very soothing but commanding," Barlow added.

Pope Benedict did not go into the studio however. The Vatican supplied recordings by the Pontiff, made while at official services and from speeches he gave on foreign visits. The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, who also appear on the album, recorded their parts in St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, while the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recorded a classical backing track in London's Abbey Road Studios.

Barlow said the Pope was pleased with the progress of the recording. "We've had a letter from the Vatican saying that he's heard the music so far and he's very happy with what he's heard. Proceeds from album sales will be used to provide music education for underprivileged children around the world.

An HMV spokesman said he believed the album had enormous commercial potential. "Besides a sizeable Christian community that will be interested in this recording for reasons of faith, it could potentially also tap into a wider audience drawn to its spiritual and calming content, especially in these rather turbulent social and economic times."

Benedict XVI is not the first pontiff to release an album. In 1982, John Paul II reached number 71 in the charts with The Pilgrim Pope, and, in 1994, his recording of The Rosary peaked at number 50.

Geffen Records, which was founded in 1980 by David Geffen, had its first number one album with John Lennon's Double Fantasy. The label recently signed Dame Shirley Bassey who also has an album out for Christmas.