Pope Benedict welcomes A Civilization of Love as "providential"
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12/10/2008
Vatican Publishing House issues Italian language edition of A Civilization of Love; Pope calls book "providential"
Fr. Lombardi (at left) and Mr. Anderson (right) were joined by (left to right) Fr. Giuseppe Costa (Director of Libreria Editrice Vaticana) , John Thavis (Rome Editor, CNS), Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko (President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity), and Prof. Franco Miani.

Fr. Lombardi (at left) and Mr. Anderson (right) were joined by (left to right) Fr. Giuseppe Costa (Director of Libreria Editrice Vaticana) , John Thavis (Rome Editor, CNS), Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko (President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity), and Prof. Franco Miani. 

At a panel discussion hosted by Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Italian language version of Supreme Knight Carl Anderson's best-selling book A Civilization of Love (Una Civiltà Dell'Amore) was officially released in Rome on December 9.

In a note sent through Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI called the book "a providential editorial initiative." The full text of Cardinal Bertone's message read:

"On the occasion of the presentation of the book “A Civilization of Love” by Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, The Supreme Pontiff directs his auspicious well wishes and hopes that this providential editorial initiative arouses a renewed fidelity in Christ and a generous evangelical witness. The Pope willingly imparts to all present at this significant occasion his implored apostolic blessings. I send his personal greetings and good wishes."

Anderson wrote the book "as part of a discussion that has been going on in the Catholic Church for more than forty years." The Second Vatican Council, he notes, "challenged cultures on a global basis by a set of values inspired by its understanding of each person's true vocation." Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have called for an effort to combat the 21st Century's culture of death by working together to build a civilization of love. Anderson's book explores "the implications of this call," which is not limited to Catholics. "While I believe the building of a civilization of love is the responsibility of every Christian, all Christians must work to realize this vision in such a way that Jews, Muslims and others were welcome to participate," Anderson states in the book's introduction.

The English language edition of A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World remains available in both hard cover and paperback editions.