The Harry Potter mania is sweeping over the U.S. with the latest movie sequel taking in $77.4 million over the weekend in the country's box office while the much-anticipated release of the final instalment book goes on sale in July 21.
12 million copies of the book have been printed for the U.S. market alone, reported Reuters. The 784-page book is expected to draw in thousands of people lining up in book stores across the world on this Saturday as many readers are eager to see how the series ends.
Around the world, the latest Harry Potter series entitled 'Order of the Phoenix' has racked in an additional $190.3 million in 44 other countries, on top of its earnings in the U.S. reported AP.
Despite the worldwide popularity of the film the Pope lambasts it, writing that the film 'deeply distorts Christianity in the soul,' reported the Lancashire Evening Post.
"…Harry Potter (has).. subtle seductions which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul before it can grow properly," wrote Pope Benedict XVI.
There has, however, also been a new wave of Christians supporting the literature. They feel that others exaggerate the problems of witchcraft found in the books.
One author and home-schooling mother recently had a change of heart when she read the books. After keeping "Potter" out of her house for years, Nancy Brown from Illinois gave the books a chance and said she found the books to actually be positive for child growth. She has written a new novel, "The Mystery of Harry Potter", that came out mid-June to even encourage Christian parents with the material.
"After reading Harry Potter for myself, I had to conclude that the Potter series is not about the occult or witchcraft but actually just the opposite," explained Brown in a statement. "The stories are morality tales filled with excellent opportunities for family discussions.
"In short, the Harry Potter books are great for all families and especially Christian parents, who for centuries have used literature to illustrate the struggle between good and evil when teaching their children."
The movies gained huge victories when conservative ministry heads such as Dr James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, and Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries gave their stamp of approval.
Kevin Jackson, a Christian Post correspondent contributed to the writing of this article from Washington D.C.