London, December 26 : New technology and instant communication is leaving people with no room for the important things in life, the Pope has said.

Benedict XVI, who has recently joined Twitter, likened people in the 21st Century to the innkeepers in Bethlehem who had no space for Mary and Joseph, meaning that Jesus was born in a stable.

In his address at Christmas mass in St Peter's Basilica, the Pope said that we all have become too busy and full of ourselves to make room for others, the Telegraph reported.

The 85-year-old has himself shown signs of slowing down in the recent months but has nevertheless thrown himself into the world of new technology.

However, even though he joined Twitter earlier this month and already has more than two million followers, he has been careful to conserve his energy - the service itself was brought forward by two hours to avoid the pontiff being unduly tired.

The Pope told his worshippers that the great moral question of our attitude towards the homeless, refugees and migrants takes on a deeper dimension.

He asked them if they really have the time and space for God if he "seeks to enter under our roof."

He them spoke of fears that we are so full of ourselves that there is no room left for God, adding that this means we have no room for others either - children, poor and strangers. (ANI)