Pope to be first reader in Bible-reading marathon for TV

Published: 2008-07-03

ROME (CNS) -- On the evening of the opening of the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible, Pope Benedict XVI will serve as the first reader on Italian state television's Bible-reading marathon. Plans for "The Bible, Day and Night" were unveiled during a July 3 press conference in the Rome offices of RAI, the state-owned broadcasting company. Beginning Oct. 5, each of about 1,200 people will read for between four and eight minutes until all 73 books of the Catholic editions of the Bible have been read. No commentary will be offered and the only pause provided will be a musical interlude every 90 minutes. Pope Benedict's reading from the Book of Genesis will be broadcast on RaiUno, RAI's flagship station. Most of the other readings expected to take place over the course of seven days and six nights will be broadcast on RaiEdu, a satellite channel.

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