Why is the Pope Reading the Bible in Italian on TV?

Because if he read from the New American Bible in English the American bishops would sue him.

Ok, that's at least partially a joke.

Not that I'm annoyed about the way the bishops treat well-meaning Bible-podcasters or anything. (Yes, they'll actually sic the law on you ... )

But it is pretty cool that they are actually going to read the entire Bible in a marathon on Italian television.

Pope Benedict XVI will kick off a week-long reading of the Bible on Italian television starting Sunday, with readers to include three former presidents and Oscar-winning actor Roberto Benigni.

Some 2,000 people will take turns reading the Bible's 73 books, from the Old Testament's Genesis to the New Testament's Book of Revelations, at Rome's Holy Cross in Jerusalem basilica.

The pope will record the first reading at the Vatican.

Read the whole story here.

For a more indepth look at why the Bible reading is happening, check out the always reliable Get Religion.