Pope Benedict XVI starts off marathon Bible reading

For seven days and six nights, more than 1,000 people will read from Genesis to Apocalypse live on state television. The first segment ends with a spirited Roberto Benigni.
By Maria de Cristofaro and Sebastian Rotella
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 6, 2008

ROME -- In the beginning Pope Benedict XVI read these words: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth."And the pope and millions of viewers watching him on Italian television Sunday night saw that it was good.

The pontiff launched a marathon reading of the Bible, from Genesis to Apocalypse, broadcast live on state television. It will last seven days and six nights. The roster of about 1,300 readers features former Italian presidents, current Cabinet ministers, soccer stars, foreign diplomats, cardinals, intellectuals, actors and opera singers as well as ordinary citizens. the rest