Pope’s third part of 'Jesus of Nazareth' due in Italy at Christmas

(September 22, 2012) The Vatican Publishing House has signed an agreement with an Italian publisher for the publication of Pope Benedict's latest book on Jesus, which focuses on the infancy of Christ. Italian publisher Rizzoli signed an agreement on Friday with the Vatican Publishing House and was given the mandate to sell the rights to publish the Pope's writings around the globe. The book is expected to be released in Italy at Christmas as a joint publication of the Vatican Publishing House and Rizzoli. The official title has not yet been released to the public and work is continuing on translations into other languages. This is the third volume of Pope Benedict’s "Jesus of Nazareth" trilogy on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The 85-year old Pontiff has devoted considerable time in office to writing the major three-part study. The first volume appeared in 2007 and looked at events in Jesus' adult life and public ministry. In the second book, which came out in 2011 and focused on the last week of Jesus' life, the Pope condemned violence committed in God's name and personally exonerated Jews of responsibility for Christ's death.