Pope Benedict to sign new encyclical on Nov 30

ROME, Nov 22 (Reuters) Pope Benedict has completed his new encyclical, the highest form of papal writing, and will sign it on Nov. 30, the Vatican's number two said today.

The encyclical is expected to be about the theme of hope and will be Benedict's second since he became Pope in 2005. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone did not say when it would be made public, but it should be released before the end of the year.

His first encyclical, ''Deus Caritas Est'' (God is Love) was issued in January 2006 and focused on erotic and spiritual love in a personal relationship as well as the role of the Church's network of charity organisations.

REUTERS RSA BST0012