Just in time for Christmas, Pope sings on CD

ROME (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI sings and prays along to a mix of modern music and ancient church chants in a new album, entitled "Alma Mater — Music from the Vatican,"

The CD includes eight original pieces of contemporary music, interwoven with Gregorian chants and the pope's voice.

Benedict sings a hymn and recites prayers to the Virgin Mary in various languages, including Italian, French and Latin.

Part of the proceeds will go to fund music education for underprivileged children throughout the world, Colin Barlow, president of Geffen Records in Britain, said at a presentation of the album at Rome's city hall.

The pope's voice was not recorded specifically for the project. The soundbites were given to record label Geffen/Universal by Vatican Radio, which owns the rights, said the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman and head of the radio station.

"The pope is open to new ways of evangelization ... to experiment with new ways to transmit a spiritual message that the world greatly needs," he said.

The CD is available November 23 and can be pre-ordered  online from Barnes &Noble for $20,69