In what appeared to be an indirect rebuke to the centre Right government of Silvio Berlusconi the Vatican today said an influx of immigrants "should not be seen by the host country as a sort of invasion, with negative repercussions on social stability and public security issues''.

Presenting a message from Pope Benedict XVI for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees in January, Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said: ''The problem of immigration is not resolved by closing borders......There are over 200 million people who live outside their countries of origin, driven by misery, hunger, violence, wars, ethnic rivalries, but also by the desire for a better life".

In his message Pope Benedict calls for ''special attention'' to be given to immigrants, refugees and exiles, urging people to ''live fully in fraternal love without distinction or discrimination, in the conviction that anyone who needs us is our fellow man and we can help them''.

The cardinal said negative reactions to immigrants ''make human life even more sad and bitter for them", often pushing them to the margins of society. The answer lay in "balanced and solid rules'' designed to make integration easier, he said.

Asked about local opposition to the construction of new mosques in some Italian cities, Cardinal Martino said immigrants must respect the culture and laws of their host country, but had a right to their own religious and cultural traditions.

The Vatican and the Italian Catholic Church have been critical of the Berlusconi government's crackdown on illegal immigrants and Roma gypsies since it came to power in May. Today Wednesday the Northern League, which controls the Interior Ministry, proposed amendments to a law and order bill which would make it easier to expel immigrants.

The amendments also allow for the introduction of a "points-based" residence permit for foreigners, with points deducted for criminal offences, and the holding of local referendums before any non-Catholic places of worship are authorised. They also lay down stricter criteria for marriages between immigrants and Italians.

The government has deployed troops alongside police to enforce law and order in Italian cities and tackle crime and illegal immigration. It is accused by the centre Left opposition of creating a "xenophobic climate" and encouraging racist attacks, but strongly denies this.