Benedict XVI's final book on Jesus coming out next week

Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov 16, 2012 / 00:10 am

Pope Benedict's latest book on Christ, which focuses on his infancy, will be published in the United States Nov. 21.

Image Books, a division of Random House, will be publishing the work's English translation in both the United States and Canada.

The book is titled "Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives," and marks the third and final volume in Pope Benedict's series on Christ. It will focus on Jesus' infancy and early life.

Pope Benedict focuses on the hope which the child Jesus represented for characters as diverse as Mary, Joseph, the magi and Simeon.

The first volume in the series, "Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration," was published as a hardcover in English in 2007 by Doubleday and in paperback in 2008 by Ignatius Press.

In the introduction of his first book the Pope explained that it was in "no way an exercise of the magisterium," but rather an "expression of his personal search for the face of the Lord."

In the work, the Pope explored the majority of Christ's public ministry, including his baptism by John the Baptist, the sermon on the Mount, the meaning of the parables, the calling of the 12 apostles, the confession of Peter and the Transfiguration.

In the second work in the series, "Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week," Pope Benedict examined Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, his suffering and death, his resurrection from the dead and his ascension into heaven.

Published in English by Ignatius Press in 2011, "Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week," made its way to the New York Times Best Seller List shortly after being released.