The comments came during the annual papal message for World Communications Day, themed on the subject, " Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education." Paying particular attention to video games, the pope discussed the media' s effect on children.

" Any trend to produce programs and products - including animated films and video games - which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray antisocial behaviour or the trivialisation of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are directed at children and adolescents," the pope said.

His comments also addressed how the media can support a child' s education so long as it " promotes fundamental human dignity, the true value of marriage and family life, and the positive achievements and goals of humanity."

He also called upon industry leaders to " safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity, and promote respect for the needs of the family."