By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer   In conjunction with the Oct. 5 opening of the Bishops Synod on the Bible, Pope Benedict XVI has launched a marathon non-stop reading of the Bible, from Genesis to Apocalypse, which is being broadcast live on Italian state television. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Pope kicked off the program called “The Bible Day and Night” by reading the first chapter of the book of Genesis. The reading will last seven days and six nights and feature more than 1,300 readers including former Italian presidents, current Cabinet ministers, soccer stars, foreign diplomats, cardinals, intellectuals, actors and opera singers as well as ordinary citizens will take part in the event. The marathon is a multi-faith and multi-ethnic affair that includes Orthodox clergymen, five Muslims, the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican as well as a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp and 14 other Jewish readers. The Vatican wanted to make it clear that “the Bible belongs to everyone without any discrimination or cultural or ideological barrier.” The purpose of the program is so that “the word of God can enter homes to accompany the lives of families and individuals," the Pope said following his traditional noontime blessing on Sunday.  “A seed that if well received will not fail to bring abundant fruits.” According to Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, "The reason the pope has agreed is to give his support to a program intended to bring the listening and reading of the Bible to a wider public of every age and condition, is because the Church encourages the faithful to read and understand the Holy Scriptures. "The pope, therefore, intends to give a personal example . . . at a moment when the entire Catholic Church is reflecting and praying on the centrality of the Holy Scriptures in its life." The pope’s recitation was followed by Russian Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, representative of the Moscow Patriarchate to the European Union in Brussels, and Domenico Maselli, an Italian Protestant leader. The first segment ended with Italy’s most beloved comic, Roberto Benigni, the actor-director who won two Oscars for "Life is Beautiful." Departing from the previously solemn tone of the evening, Benigni gave a cheerful, spirited performance that drew the first applause of the night. Andrea Bocelli, a noted tenor, sang between readings. The marathon will end Oct. 11 with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the secretary of State of the Vatican, reading the 22nd chapter of the Book of Revelation. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly/Women of Grace. http://www.womenofgrace.com