Pope Benedict XVI began a week-long Bible-reading marathon on Italian television today.
The marathon will feature more than 1,200 people reading the Old and New Testament over seven days and six nights.
RAI state TV began its programme,
The Bible Day and Night, with Benedict reciting the first chapter of the book of Genesis.
While the Pope recited his segment from the Vatican, most of the reading will be done live in Rome's Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, a basilica built in the 4th century.
Besides Catholics, members of other religions, including Jews, Protestants and Orthodox Christians will participate.
Benedict, who appeared on a giant screen mounted in the church to start the marathon, was followed by Bishop Ilarion, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church. Oscar-winning director Roberto Benigni was also among those reading from the Bible yesterday.
Outside the packed basilica a crowd gathered in front of the torchlit facade.
Every few chapters the reading was being interrupted for religious music, and opera star Andrea Bocelli led the first interlude by singing Bach's
Praise The Lord.
"The word of God will enter the homes and accompany the lives of families and individual people," Benedict said of the programme following his traditional noon blessing yesterday. "If welcomed, this seed will not fail to bring
abundant fruits."
The Bible marathon will end with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's number two official, reading the last chapter of the Apocalypse.
The televised marathon is running parallel to a worldwide synod of bishops on the relevance of the Bible for contemporary Catholics. The meeting of 253 bishops will run from today until October 26th.
AP