Celebrities writing children’s books? That’s nothing new — the list is a mile long. Madonna and Tim McGraw have done it. So have Brooke Shields, Julianne Moore, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Jimmy Buffett, and Whoopi Goldberg, to name a few. So why not the leader of the Catholic Church?
The Vatican press announced the children’s book Gli Amici di Gesu (The Friends of Jesus) has been published under Pope Benedict XVI’s name. Although it’s not the first time the Pope has authored books, it is first children’s book. (And the first children’s book by any Pope , as far as I can find.) The Pope, a native German, wrote the book in Italian. It features a collection of the Pope’s descriptions of Jesus’ relationship with his “first companions,” including the original 12 apostles, Matthias, and St. Paul.
Lorenzo Murnigotti, editorial coordinator of the Piccola Casa Editrice publishing house, hopes to publish English and Spanish versions soon.
How appropriate
No kidding, I wonder if each copy comes with a free candy and condom?
The Catholic Church opposes the use of condoms. They prefer to promote (their perverted idea of) virtuous sexual relationships…
This is weird. “Let’s get to the kids now that we have drowed christiannity down the toilet”.
interesting that he is writing a children’s book, definitely nothing wrong with that. i sure that if i was younger my mom would have bought be that book!
Chapter One…Stay Away From Priests
Hm, if the Pope wants to reassure us of his concern for children, perhaps full co-operation with the police on matters concerning physical & sexual abuse by clergy & monastics might be a more convincing place to begin?
Excellent point Hildegard. I’m also curious to see where the profits from the book will go.
All profits from books authored by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI go to the Ratzinger Foundation, which funds scholarships for students around the world to continue their education
I for one actually appreciate this…focusing on the children is a really smart thing for the Church to do.
The proceeds from Benedict XVI’s other books go towards educational scholarships, afaik.