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Pope to Launch Bible Marathon for TV, Internet

Pontiff will lead off six-day reading fest in the fall

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2008 10:12 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Pope Benedict XVI may not have the media cache of his predecessor, but he's working on it. The pontiff will kick off a six-day Bible-reading marathon that will be broadcast live on Italian television and the Internet this fall. The Guardian reports the pope will read aloud the first chapter of Genesis, then be followed by about 1,200 volunteers who will continue reading 'round the clock through Revelation.

A Vatican official called the readathon, scheduled to begin October 5, "an appeal to the Catholic church to go back to studying and deepening its knowledge of the Holy Scriptures."

Pope Benedict XVI looks out across a crowded St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. He is to address millions more in a marathon Bible reading broadcast on television and the Internet.
Pope Benedict XVI looks out across a crowded St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. He is to address millions more in a marathon Bible reading broadcast on television and the Internet.   (AP Photo)
Pope Benedict XVI will participate in a marathon Bible-reading broadcast live on TV and the Internet.
Pope Benedict XVI will participate in a marathon Bible-reading broadcast live on TV and the Internet.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Benedict XVI will participate in a marathon Bible-reading broadcast live on TV and the Internet.
Pope Benedict XVI will participate in a marathon Bible-reading broadcast live on TV and the Internet.   (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful during his Sunday Angelus address in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, July 6, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful during his Sunday Angelus address in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, July 6, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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Pope reads Bible 'to reach hearts and minds of today.'
Catholic News Agency

Pope to star in TV Bible marathon
BBC

 
Pope Benedict XVI • Vatican • Bible • scripture • pontiff • Riccardo Di Segni • Pontifical Council for Culture • RAI • Chief Rabbi of Rome

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