VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday he will publish his first encyclical on the different aspects of God's love next week, adding it was "providential" the text would be released after a period of prayer for unifying all Christians.

Benedict announced the Jan. 25 publication date of "God is Love" during his weekly general audience.

The pope said the encyclical — a pontiff's most authoritative declaration — demonstrates the concept of love in its various dimensions, from the love between man and woman to the love that the Roman Catholic Church has for others in its expression of charity.

"In today's terminology, 'love' seems very far from what a Christian thinks about when he speaks of Christian charity," Benedict said, speaking off-the-cuff after his prepared remarks. "I want to show that it's about one single movement with different dimensions."