(AGI) Vatican City, Dec 16 - The Servizio InformazioneReligiosa (SIR - Religious Information Service), a Catholicpress agency endorsed by the Italian Episcopal Conference(CEI), stated that the first of two episodes of actor-directorRoberto Benigni's "Ten Commandments", broadcast on Mondayevening on Rai Uno, was "impressive." SIR said in a statement,"It was a great interpretation. In part because the scene wasabsolutely sober, without aiming for effect and in part becausethe artist was carried away by the part, perhaps further awaythan he himself expected to be. Speaking of the fourthcommandment, 'Remember the Sabbath, to Keep it Holy', Benigniopened up with an unexpected scenario. He placed arevolutionary God on the scene, three thousand years earlierthan Communism, who urges rest and allows servants, animals,and plants to rest too. Love, Benigni said, is not only apoet's emotion, but a command from God, felt by God Himself."SIR continued, "Benigni's God, in short, is a God who ispleased not only by his work, but wants Man to do the same, andtells him: 'Stop for a moment, look at the wonderful things youhave done; this is happiness'." The daily newspaper Avvenire,which is owned by the CEI, also commented on Benigni's program:"Only Roberto Benigni could have succeeded in the bold ambitionof tackling such a colossal topic, managing to keep you gluedto the screen, speaking of the soul, of God, of that which ismost important to us". Radio Vaticana, led by Father FedericoLombardi, had an attitude of openness and confidence in RaiUno's initiative, stating on its website: "Compared to what isnormally on television, Benigni's presence is stimulating andleads to dialogue, is certainly intriguing, and in short standsout in the pervasive dullness." . .