(October 6, 2008) Pope Benedict kicked off a seven-day, non-stop Bible reading marathon
on Italian television on Sunday. The pope read for several minutes from the start
of the Book of Genesis live from his apartments in the Vatican while other speakers
read in the Basilica of Holy Cross in Rome. In the next seven days and six nights,
more than 1,200 people will read from the Bible until all 73 books of the Catholic
edition is finished. Each speaker will read for about 5-8 minutes live on TV. The
second reader was from the Russian Orthodox Church and the third was an Italian protestant
leader. Others on the first night included Italian politicians and artists, among
them Oscar-winning actor and director Roberto Benigni. Tenor Andrea Bocelli sang between
readings. The broadcast began live on state broadcaster RAI's first channel and
was to continue on one of its satellite channels. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, will conclude the marathon on Saturday, reading the last chapter
of Revelation. Pope Benedict spoke about the Bible Marathon during his weekly midday
‘Angelus’ on Sunday explaining that the event is “a fitting accompaniment to the Synod
of Bishops on the Word of God.” “The Word of God can thus enter into homes to accompany
the lives of families and single persons: a seed that, if properly welcomed, will
not fail to bear abundant fruit."