Pope to publish first book since election

VATICAN CITY, Nov 21 (Reuters) Pope Benedict has completed the first volume of a work on the life of Jesus Christ, a historical- theological analysis of the central figure of the Christian faith, the Vatican said today.

The first volume of the two-volume work, called ''Jesus of Nazareth'', is due to be published early next year by Italian publisher Rizzoli, a unit of RCS Mediagroup, in cooperation with the Vatican's publishing house.

It will be the first book published by the German-born Pope since he became head of the Catholic Church in April 2005. He started the book in 2003 when he was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Reuters PDM MIR KP1847