Vatican City, Dec 17, 2009 / 10:50 pm (CNA).- The president emeritus of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, presented Pope Benedict XVI with a copy of the first 12 volumes of the “Encyclopedia of Bioethics and Legal Science” after this week’s Wednesday General Audience.

Bishop Sgreccia was responsible for the sections regarding bioethics, while Antonio Tarantino, professor of the University of Lecce, was responsible for the portions dealing with legal science.

The bishop explained that “today bioethical issues are taken up in parliaments that make laws on life, death, the family and children. The encyclopedia is an instrument that brings together ethical, anthropological and legal arguments.”

At the conclusion of the Wednesday audience, Pope Benedict also greeted former basketball player and president of the Italian Federation of Basketball, Dino Meneghin, who gave the Pope a jersey of Italy’s national basketball team with his name, “Benedicto XVI,” printed on the back.

Before leaving the Paul VI Hall, L’Osservatore Romano reported, the Pope blessed a nativity scene given to him by the country of Mexico, while expressing his thanks for the gesture.

01:04 pm | Over 1,500 attend Philadelphia men’s conference

12:34 pm | Post office rate hike on mailings critical of homosexuals in the military overruled

11:05 am | Jesus is Justice in person, declares Benedict XVI at Angelus

07:50 am | Knights of Columbus rallying against ‘immoral' Philippines contraception campaign

04:52 am | Church celebrates feast of father of 10 turned hermit

HLI president skeptical that Obama's new bioethics commission will be ethical

Catholic bioethicist weighs in on paralyzed man thought to be unconscious for 23 years

U.S. Bishops to vote on revision of guidlines for patients in vegetative state

N.Y. stem cell board approves payments for women's eggs