Pope's book on the infancy of Jesus released




November 20, 2012. (Romereports.com) In his latest book, Benedict XVI takes on a new approach to write about the infancy of Jesus. The Pope relies on the historical information found in the Gospel and then explains those details through the lens of faith. He says the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is not a children's story, but rather a story that's still quite relevant for modern times.

The volume was presented at the Vatican. Even though the Pope didn't attend the ceremony, his personal secretary, Georg Gänswein did. Also there was Angelo Becciu, from the Secretariat of State.

Interestingly the book begins with Pontius Pilate asking Jesus, who He is and where He comes from.  The Pope then recounts episodes of the birth of Jesus, the slaughter of the innocent and the visit of the three Wise Men.

CARD. GIANFRANCO RAVASI
President, Pontifical Council for Culture
“The origins of Christ are not just about these historical coordinates. The origin is quite deeper than that. In his book, the Pope says he wants to address and respond to this issue.”

MARIA CLARA LUCCHETTI
Theologian,  Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
“The Pope says 'it's not enough to leave the text of the Gospel as something of the past or as something that happened long ago.' His intention is to lead the reader to an updated message of salvation based on the Infancy of Christ.”

PAOLO MIELI
President, Rizzoli Editorial
“It's not just a book about Jesus, written by a great pastor. It is a book by Joseph Ratzinger, a person who will go down in the history of European culture.”

The book titled 'The Infancy Narratives' is not a
theology or history book. In it, the Pope analyzes  180 versus in the Gospel, where Matthew and Luke write about Jesus' childhood. He then invites the reader to apply the information and message to their personal lives.

This is actually the third and last book of the Pope's trilogy series 'Jesus of Nazareth.' He began the project, before he was elected Pope. In his spare time, including the summer, he kept on writing.

Even though it may be too early to say, this probably won't be the Pope's last book. But only time will tell if Joseph Ratzinger has additional books in the works.

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