Pope visits exhibition of his writings

(September 16, 2011) Visiting an exhibition by the German publisher Herder and the Vatican Publishing House at papal summer residence of Castelgandolfo near Rome on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI said he was "slightly astounded" by the volumes of his writings. The exhibition brought together some 600 volumes of the various language editions of works written by him as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and later as Pontiff. The exhibition has been organized in the lead-up to the Holy Father's visit to Germany next week. "I am moved and slightly astounded to see the amount of books I have created," the Holy Father added. "My hope is that the words they contain may not just come and go, but that they help men and women to find their way." The Pontiff also thanked all those who were behind the scenes in his publications. The exhibition is now open to tourists in the Vatican and will be opened at the headquarters of Herder in Freiburg Sept. 24.