The momentous third and final volume in the Pope’s international bestselling Jesus of Nazareth series, detailing how the stories of Jesus’ infancy and childhood are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.
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Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives
Written by: Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger
New York Times Bestseller! The momentous third and final volume in the Pope’s international bestselling Jesus of Nazareth series, detailing how the stories of Jesus’ infancy and childhood are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago. In... More about the book »
Jesus of Nazareth
Written by: Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger
“This book is… my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord.’” —Benedict XVIIn this bold, momentous work, the pope—in his first book written as Benedict XVI—seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from recent “popular”... More about the book »
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Pope Benedict XVI: His Legacy Remembered and His Final Book as Pope
© Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis
In what is being called a brave move, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the papacy on Monday, citing age and physical limitations as the reasoning. “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God,” he said during the announcement, “I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
Pope Benedict will be the second pope in the history of the Church to voluntarily step down. The resignation of Pope St. Celestine V, who resigned in 1294, is the most similar to Pope Benedict XVI’s, as he also chose to step down for personal reasons. (You can learn more about Pope St. Celestine V and his decision in Jon M. Sweeney’s book, The Pope Who Quit.)
In 2009, Pope Benedict visited the tomb of Pope St. Celestine V in Aquila, Italy, where he spent time in prayer and left his pallium on top of Celestine’s tomb. Just over a year later, Pope Benedict prayed before the relics of St. Celestine in the cathedral of Sulmona, near Rome. What passed as two rather unremarkable events are now seen as a very personal expression of Pope Benedict’s prayerful journey toward his decision.
As the world reacts to the pope’s announcement, we are both humbled and honored to have recently published what will now be recognized as the final book of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. Pope Benedict’s work as a scholar and biographer of Jesus of Nazareth stands as one of the most respected and insightful examinations of the life of Christ in modern literature.
At the publication of the first book in the three-volume series, Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration, Pope Benedict said, “This book is…my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord.’” His search has indeed impacted the lives of countless readers and seekers, and has given us all the opportunity to know Christ in a deeper way.
Our prayers are with Pope Benedict XVI in his final days as Pope, and will continue to be with the members of the Conclave as they seek God’s will for the future of the Church.
Celebrating Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives with the Vatican
A few members of the Image Books staff are in Rome this week celebrating the release of Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives with Pope Benedict XVI and the Vatican. We’ll have more photos of this momentous occasion to share with you next week, but thought you’d enjoy a small glimpse into the press conference at the Vatican today. (Don’t miss the caption of this photo, which gives you an idea of the experience.)
Invited press, who were lining up at the Vatican, were allowed in to receive their copies of JESUS OF NAZARETH: THE INFANCY NARRATIVES in the Italian edition. They had two hours to read before the press conference in the Vatican Press Office. If you look in the background, you can see the English and Polish editions as well. Photo courtesy of G. Jansen.
POPE 101 PART 2: The Papacy and Legacy of Benedict XVI
By Bianca M. Caraza
When he was elected pope on April 16, 2005, the then Cardinal Ratzinger took the name Benedict XVI. He explained during his first General Audience in 2005 that his chosen name was not only an homage to Benedict XV, the “prophet of peace” who pursued an end to World War II, but to St. Benedict of Nursia, a co-patron of Europe and saint by whom the Benedictine monks were founded. The date of his election was also significant, as it marks the feast day of St. Leo IX, another reformative German pope. His holiness Pope Benedict XVI was elected at the sagacious age of 78, making him the oldest man to be elected Pope since the 18th century. The Vatican online cites his papal motto as cooperatores veritatis, which means “cooperators of truth,” a saying that sums up his theological and academic commitment to an objective and unifying truth.
His holiness Pope Benedict XVI’s coat of arms. Image courtesy of the Vatican online.
Among his many contributions to the Church during his papacy, his holiness has worked tirelessly to oversee the canonization process on behalf of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. Not even a full month after his election to the papacy, Pope Benedict released his response to the examination of Pope John Paul II’s cause for beatification and canonization, which explained that the normal five year wait for beatification would be waved in this case due to “exceptional circumstances.” Thanks to the Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II’s case was examined earlier than expected, and on May 1, 2011, he was beatified.
Another important achievement of Pope Benedict’s has been the elevation of the Tridentine Mass. “Tridentine” refers to the Council of Trent, in which the Catholic doctrine was reaffirmed. The “older form” of mass was the most commonly celebrated until the Second Vatican Council. After Pope Benedict XVI’s election, he eased restrictions on the older mass, encouraging congregations to celebrate the beautiful Latin masses that he had grown up with. In this way, his holiness once again reaffirmed his beliefs in the traditions and holy rites of our Church.
Still an incredible scholar and theologian well into his papacy, his holiness Pope Benedict XVI will release the third and final installment of his Jesus of Nazareth series later this year. You can check out his new book here, and don’t forget to visit the Image Books site for book updates.
VIDEO: Book Trailer for Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives
The momentous third and final volume in the Pope’s international bestselling Jesus of Nazareth series, detailing how the stories of Jesus’ infancy and childhood are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.
