Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics on Wednesday to opt for the Bible for their summer holiday reading.
“Often during the holiday period, when we have a moment of repose, we take a book to read,” the pope told about 5 000 people gathered for a public audience at Castel Gandolfo, his lakeside summer residence outside Rome.
“Why not discover some of the books of the Bible, often unknown, of which we may have heard extracts but have never read in their entirety?”
Many Christians never read the Bible and had a limited and superficial knowledge of it, the pontiff lamented.
“In this period of rest for many of us, I invite you to take the time to open your Bible and to read some of the books it contains.
“In this way, you can feed your spirit and your culture and above all develop your knowledge of God and your relationship with him.”
The pope’s audiences will be held at Castel Gandolfo on August 10, 17, 24 and 31. He will be in Madrid from August 18 to 21 for celebrations of World Youth Day. – AFP