|TOP|The Vatican has released a statement declaring that Pope Benedict XVI is currently writing a new book on Jesus, which is set to become the second major theological work since he was installed into his position.

The Roman Catholic head is expected to complete his work on the book before the end of the summer.

The book is expected to focus centrally on Jesus, the human race and Christianity’s relationship with other prominent world faiths.

The Pope began the work prior to becoming Pope in April 2005, and its release now comes at a time when an urgent need has been identified by the Vatican to restore a stronger faith amongst Catholic followers across the world.|AD|

The need has arisen for such a book following steep growth of secularism in various countries, and escalating tensions with other religions, in particular Islam.

Rome-based la Repubblica newspaper has said that Pope Benedict, previously known as Cardinal Ratzinger, who was a leading Catholic theologian and famous author, aimed to include reflections from his experience as pope in the book written in the form of a “theological narrative”.

Some commentators are saying that the focus Benedict is giving to Jesus may revive the controversy surrounding a previous document he released in 2000.

Causing widespread debate, Ratzinger’s ‘Dominus Iesus’ said that the Catholic Church was the only real Church.