Encyclical on faith to be published in January

(ANSA) – Vatican City, October 2 – Pope Benedict XVI is to publish an encyclical on faith in January 2013, Vatican sources said Tuesday. The document will complete a series of encyclicals on the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, after the publication of 'Deus Caritas est' (God Is Love) in 2005 and 'Spe Salvi' (Saved In Hope) in 2007. Benedict reportedly completed the encyclical over the summer but publication is to be delayed until next year to avoid overlapping with the release of the third volume of his Jesus of Nazareth series in December. The new encyclical will be central to the Roman Catholic Church's Year of Faith, which begins on October 11, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and ends on November 24, 2013, the feast of Christ the King.