The new encyclical: Due out Jan. 25

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2006 (VIS) - The Vatican Information Service has spoken, so everyone can quit speculating: It's a week from today. I'm sure it will be interesting, to say the very least.

POPE BENEDICT'S FIRST ENCYCLICAL TO BE PUBLISHED ON JAN 25

During today's general audience, Benedict XVI announced that his first Encyclical, the title of which is "Deus Caritas est," will made public on January 25. The official presentation of the document will take place in the Holy See Press Office at midday on the same day.

. . . "Charity," the Holy Father went on, "is the love that renounces itself in favor of others. 'Eros' becomes 'agape' if one seeks the good of others, it becomes 'caritas' if it opens to one's own family and to the entire human family."

The Pope affirmed that his Encyclical "seeks to show that the very personal act of love must be expressed within the Church also as an organizational act. If it is true that the Church is an expression of God, it must be true that love becomes an ecclesial act."