Another volume of Jesus of Nazareth; Another encyclical

Pope Benedict, who will be on a three week vacation in northwest Italy, hinted at the possibility of writing a second encyclical. CathNews reports:

Arriving in Lorenzago di Cadore, reporters asked the pope when he expects to publish the second part of his book on Jesus. The first volume of “Jesus of Nazareth” was released in the spring and covered the period from Jesus’ baptism to his transfiguration.

“It is in the hands of God,” said the pope, referring to the second volume covering Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. “I hope to write some pages here.”

Then reporters asked if the pope would use his vacation to write a new encyclical.

“Yes, also,” he responded.

“So there is a new encyclical?” a reporter asked.

“Yes, eventually,” the pope said without providing further details.

Prolific and prayerful…shades of John Paul II! The Pope, perhaps thinking of the wonderful Leisure, the Basis of Culture by one of his favorite German philosophers, Josef Pieper, described his vacation as a “gift of God.”