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VATICAN-BOOKSTORE Nov-18-2008 (270 words) xxxi
Vatican opens Pope Benedict bookstore outside St. Peter's Square
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a world filled with conflicting messages, people should be able to find books that explain Catholic Church teaching near every Catholic Church, said the Vatican secretary of state.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI's top aide, spoke at the Nov. 18 opening of the Pope Benedict XVI International Bookstore just outside St. Peter's Square.
The store is a joint operation of the Vatican publishing house, the Vatican newspaper's photographic service and the Vatican's stamp and coin office.
The Vatican publishing house also operates the tiny Pope John Paul II International Bookstore in St. Peter's Square and the Pope Paul VI International Bookstore near Rome's Spanish Steps in the building that houses the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
In addition to books, including those by the pope, the new Pope Benedict bookstore will sell collectable Vatican stamps and coins and photographs of the popes taken by the all-access photographers of L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.
After leading a short prayer service, asking God to bless the new store and all who will work there, Cardinal Bertone said people from around the world come to St. Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus or the weekly general audience and are "enlightened and comforted" by the words of Pope Benedict.
Like the pope, he said, "this bookstore hopes to present to the modern world the truth present for all eternity in the word of God."
In a world of competing and confusing messages, the cardinal said, "today it is important that alongside places of worship, there open places where people can find help in understanding the Word of God, Jesus Christ."
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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