A series of candid interviews with Pope Benedict XVI will go on sale around the world next week in the eagerly anticipated book: Light of the World, The Pope, The Church and The Signs of the Times by Peter Seewald.

Mr Seewald, a German author and former magazine editor, has shared these brief comments about the book - the first ever to contain verbal interviews between a pontiff and a journalist.

Mr Seewald, how important do you think the book will be in helping people become better acquainted with the Pope?