• Oscar-winning actor and director Roberto Benigni gave Pope Francis two thumbs up Tuesday, delivering one of his rapid-fire monologues and praising the pope as a fountain of mercy who is "dragging the whole church toward Christianity." At perhaps the most unusual Vatican book introduction ever, Benigni was joined by the Vatican secretary of state, the Vatican spokesman and the Vatican publisher, as well as a Chinese prison inmate, to premiere The Name of God is Mercy. Francis' book-length conversation with Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli is being released in 86 countries as part of the pope's Holy Year of Mercy. Benigni, whose 1999 Life is Beautiful won three Oscars, joked that he wanted to be a priest as a child but realized he had to become a comic instead after friends laughed when he said he wanted to be pope. In recent years, Benigni has entertained television audiences in Italy with poignant monologues spliced with dramatic readings of Dante, the Italian Constitution, and most recently, the Ten Commandments. The performances, carried on RAI state television, have shown him to be a man of obvious humor but also one of deep faith. It was his Christmastime performance on the Ten Commandments that earned Benigni a phone call from the pope and an invitation to help introduce the book. "As soon as they called me and said, 'the Holy Father would like...' 'YES!' I said without letting them finish. Whatever he needs: If he needs a Swiss Guard, a driver for the popemobile, anything at all for this pope, I am ready. I will never say no." The high-profile book debut was a clear indication of the importance the Vatican places on the book and Francis' overall message of mercy. Francis, who has made prison ministry a mainstay of his life's vocation, has directed the jubilee year in a special way to prison inmates, saying God's mercy extends to them as well.
• Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter was arrested after a fight outside a bar in Key West, Fla. Carter, 35, had his initial court appearance Thursday afternoon and was released from the Monroe County jail several hours later on $1,500 bond. He faces a misdemeanor battery charge. According to a Key West police report, Carter was intoxicated when officers arrived Wednesday evening at the Hog's Breath Saloon. The report said a bartender refused to serve Carter and Michael Rae Papayans of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., who became agitated and aggressive. Bar employees repeatedly told both men to leave. According to the report, once outside, Papayans head-butted one employee and Carter then grabbed a bouncer by the throat. Papayans, 27, also was held on a misdemeanor battery charge. Jail records don't show whether either man has an attorney to comment on the case.
A Section on 01/15/2016