In her 60-year reign, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has offered the world an inspiring example of Christian leadership and dedication to duty, Pope Benedict said in a message to the monarch.

Congratulating the queen on her diamond jubilee, the pope said her reign demonstrated "a commitment to maintaining the principles of freedom, justice and democracy, in keeping with a noble vision of the role of a Christian monarch."

The pope's message also praised the queen's "personal commitment to cooperation and mutual respect between the followers of different religious traditions."