Pope Francis has issued his first encyclical, a meditation on faith that is unique because it was largely written by someone else: Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict's hand is evident throughout the first three chapters of "The Light of Faith," with his theological style, concerns and reference points clear.

Pope Francis' priorities come through in the final chapter, where the Argentine Jesuit insists on the role of faith in serving the common good and giving hope to those who suffer.

Pope Francis acknowledges in the encyclical released today that he merely "added a few contributions of my own" to Pope Benedict's "fine" first draft, which he left unfinished when he retired.

Together, the two popes crafted the final installment of Pope Benedict's conceived trio of encyclicals on the three Christian theological virtues: charity, hope and faith.

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