Light Of The World : The Pope, The Church And The Signs Of The Times

Never has a Pope, in a book-length interview, dealt so directly with such wide-ranging and controversial issues as Pope Benedict XVI does in Light of the World. Taken from a recent week-long series of interviews with veteran journalist Peter Seewald, this book tackles head-on some of the greatest issues facing the world of our time. Seewald poses such forthright questions to Pope Benedict as: * What caused the clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church? * Was there a cover up ? * Have you considered resigning? * Does affirming the goodness of the human body mean a plea for better sex ? * Can there be a genuine dialogue with Islam? * Should the Church rethink Catholic teaching on priestly celibacy, women priests, contraception, and same-sex relationships? * Holy Communion for divorced-and-remarried Catholics? * Is there a schism in the Catholic Church? * Should there be a Third Vatican Council? * Is there any hope for Christian unity? * Is Christianity the only truth? * Can the Pope really speak for Jesus Christ? * How can the Pope claim to be infallible ? * Is there a dictatorship of relativism today? Twice before these two men held wide-ranging discussions, which became the best-selling books Salt of the Earth and God and the World. Then, Seewald s discussion partner was Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Vatican s chief doctrinal office. Now, Joseph Ratzinger is Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual leader of the world s over one billion Catholics. Though Seewald now interviews the Pope himself, the journalist pulls no punches , posing some of the thorniest questions any Pope has had to address. Believers and unbelievers will be fascinated to hear Benedict s thoughtful, straightforward and thought-provoking replies. This is no stern preachment or ponderous theological tract, but a lively, fast-paced, challenging, even entertaining exchange.

Peter Seewald is a veteran German journalist who has done two other best-selling book length interviews with Joseph Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI), Salt of the Earth and God and the World. He is also the author of Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait, and Pope Benedict XVI: Servant of the Truth. Pope Benedict XVI is the spiritual leader of over one billion Catholics, and a highly regarded theologian and the author of dozens of best-selling spiritual and theological books.