According to The National Catholic Reporter, the Vatican Press Office has announced that Pope Benedict XVI has written a children’s book. Called The Friends of Jesus, the 48-page book introduces children to Jesus’s “friends,” who consist of 12 men he met during his ministry. (Apparently Mary Magdelene doesn’t make the cut.) The book has a prologue penned by Father Julian Carron, president of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation.

From the NCR:

Carron writes that Benedict XVI “takes us by the hand and accompanies us as we discover who Jesus’ first companions were, how they met him and were conquered by him to the point that they never abandoned Him.”

Hm. That whole bit with the 30 pieces of silver and the betrayal with a kiss must have been one big misunderstanding, then?