Rome  - Pope Benedict XVI plans to read out the Bible on Italian television in the autumn, Vatican sources said Thursday.

State-run RAI Television is due to run a series of readings from October 5 in which Vatican dignitaries read out the Bible from cover to cover.

Benedict is expected to be the first to appear in the series, narrating the story of creation from the Book of Genesis.

It was not clear whether the pope's reading would be made live from the Vatican or whether it would be recorded in advance, but it seems Benedict favours a live reading from the Papal Palace.

Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone was expected to end with series with the 22nd chapter of Revelation on October 11. (dpa)