Pope finishes third volume on Jesus of Nazareth

Vatican City, Aug 3, 2012 / 11:05 am

The Holy See's Press Office announced on Aug. 2 that Pope Benedict XVI has finished the third volume of his work on Jesus of Nazareth, which focuses on the infancy of Christ.

Pope Benedict completed the text while on vacation at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome.

According to the press office, the original German version is now being translated into diverse languages, and publication of the book is expected to come once all the major language versions have been completed.

The new volume is the continuation of "Jesus of Nazareth," published in 2007, and "Jesus of Nazareth – From the Entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection," published in 2011.  

Both books were published in seven languages and electronically, with more than one million copies sold.

In addition to finishing his book, the Pope is also preparing the speeches for his apostolic trip to Lebanon – taking place Sept. 14-16 – for the signing of the post-synod Apostolic Exhortation of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops.

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said yesterday during Mass at the parish of Introd in Valle d'Aosta, where he is resting for a few days, that after the publication of the book on Jesus, "an encyclical may perhaps be coming," which would be the Pope's fourth.

Benedict XVI is also writing his speeches for the upcoming celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the opening of the Year of Faith, which will take place on Oct. 11.