Benigni takes part at Bible-reading marathon
LOS ANGELES TIMES – Pope Benedict XVI began by reading: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.” And millions of viewers watching him on Italian television saw that it was good.
The pontiff was launching a marathon reading of the Bible, from Genesis to Apocalypse, which began on Sunday night.
For seven days and six nights, 1300 readers would carry the message, among them former Italian presidents, incumbent cabinet ministers, football stars, foreign diplomats, cardinals, intellectuals, actors, opera singers and everyday citizens.
The Vatican had invited people of many faiths and ethnic groups to participate in the event at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. They included an Algerian writer and five other Muslims, the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and 14 other Jewish readers.
Organisers at the Vatican said they wanted to make it clear “the Bible belongs to everyone, without any discrimination or cultural or ideological barrier”.
The first segment ended with Roberto Benigni, the manic, frizzy-haired actor-director who won two Oscars for “Life is Beautiful” and is Italy’s most beloved comic. Departing from the previously solemn tone of the evening, Benigni gave a cheerful, spirited performance that drew the first applause of the night. Andrea Bocelli, a noted tenor, sang between readings.
The marathon will end Saturday with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the secretary of State of the Vatican, reading the 22nd chapter of the Book of Revelation.
Filed Under: Roberto Benigni
andrea bocelli is really a gifted man and he has the best sounding voice ever ‘