B16's First Encyclical

From Zenit

POPE BENEDICT'S FIRST ENCYCLICAL TO BE PUBLISHED ON JAN 25

During today's general audience, Benedict XVI announced that his first Encyclical, the title of which is "Deus Caritas est," will made public on January 25. The official presentation of the document will take place in the Holy See Press Office at midday on the same day.

Explaining the contents of the document, the Pope said that "love today often appears as something far removed from Church teaching." Yet "It is a single movement that has various dimensions."

"Charity," the Holy Father went on, "is the love that renounces itself in favor of others. 'Eros' becomes 'agape' if one seeks the good of others, it becomes 'caritas' if it opens to one's own family and to the entire human family."

Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by expressing the hope that the forthcoming document may "illuminate our Christian life."

Sounds good so far. This guy is surprising me. I thought he'd be a nightmare but he's turning out to be a pretty cool Pope who I think has far more interesting things to say than JPII did.