The Billboard chart-topping contemporary Christmas cantata will be performed before His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI in a historic showing at the Vatican.

MALIBU, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy award winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. announced today that he will travel to Rome this week to take part in a historic performance of "The Birth of Christ" at the Vatican on Easter Sunday.

Mr. Gossett, along with world-renowned soloists including Andrea Bocelli and Kristin Chenoweth, will perform the contemporary Christmas cantata before Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall. It is one of the few times that the Vatican has invited a non-classical performance to take place inside its walls.

"I'm humbled and moved to take part in this historic event," Mr. Gossett said. "Performing this inspirational piece in one of the world's holiest places on one of Christianity's holiest days is truly the honor of a lifetime."

Composed by Andrew T. Miller, "The Birth of Christ" topped the Billboard Charts when it was released in November 2006 and was widely acclaimed as a modern classic that will stand the test of time. This musical celebration brings the story of Christmas to life, combing the word of the Gospel with inspirational song and revealing the humanity and passion of this timeless tale in the process.

Mr. Gossett's faith is an integral part of his life and he is no stranger to performing spiritual works. In 2007, he moved listeners with his performance as the voice of John in The Word of Promise, a New Testament Audio Bible dramatized by an all-star cast of actors.

Contact Colette Phillips or Tania deLuzuriaga @ Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. 617-357-5777

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