Pictures: Pope launches final volume of Jesus' biography

POPE BENEDICT XVI has published the last part of his trilogy on the life of Jesus Christ. The book explores his birth and insists on its significance for Christians.

The Pope also reveals that the Christian calendar is based on a miscalculation and that Jesus was born several years earlier than commonly believed.

“The Infancy Narratives: Jesus of Nazareth” hit book stores in 50 countries yesterday and is the third and final instalment from the 85-year-old who began writing soon after he became pope in 2005.

The first two books dealt with Jesus’ public ministry and his death.

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Monsignor Georg Gaenswin, Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary, holds a copy of the Pontiff's new book. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Editions in different languages of Pope Benedict XVI's new book "The Infancy Narratives: Jesus of Nazareth" are displayed during its official presentation at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Editions in different languages of Pope Benedict XVI's new book displayed during its official presentation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, holds a copy of Pope Benedict XVI's new book. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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At the launch of the Pope's new book. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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The second book of Pope Benedict XVI's trilogy, "Jesus of Nazareth - Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection". (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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Pope Benedict XVI's second book on display at a bookshop in central Rome. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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A nun leafs through an Italian edition of Pope Benedict XVI's first book "Jesus of Nazareth", during its presentation at the Vatican on Friday, April 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
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Pope Benedict XVI holds the book of the gospels during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)