Bible 'like hand-grenade' in some countries: Pope

Rome, Dec 4 

 Christians are being targeted in some parts of the world merely for wearing a crucifix or owning a bible seen as a "hidden hand-grenade", Pope Francis has said.

"...Christians are being persecuted for wearing a cross and showing their faith in Jesus. They are being condemned for owning a bible," Francis wrote in the preface to a new edition of the bible.

"Clearly the bible is an extremely dangerous book, so perilous that in some countries it is treated like a hidden hand-grenade" continued the preface.

The new edition of the bible, aimed at young people is due to be published by the Italian Jesuit magazine Civilta Cattolica in the end of December.