Synopses & Reviews
Review
Quotations from Pope Francis in His Own Words:
The person who is most high among us must be at the service of the others.”
— Pope Francis, as he washed, dried, and kissed the feet of young prisoners on his first Holy Thursday as pontiff
We never lose if we imitate Jesus, if we serve our suffering brothers.”
To recognize, accept, and live with all ways of thinking and being does not imply the renunciation of ones own beliefs.”
A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
In a society where lies, cover-ups, and hypocrisy have caused people to lose basic trust in the social contract, what could be more revolutionary than the truth?”
Human history, our history, the history of every one of us is never finished; it never runs out of possibilities. Rather, it is always opening to the new — to what, until now, wed never even had in mind. To what seemed impossible.”
Synopsis
With the election of Argentinas Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Pope of the Catholic Church, attention has turned worldwide not only towards what he will do as Pope but how he has lived and preached in the past. Its clear that he has led a humble and unconventional life; for instance, instead of asking to be addressed as Your Eminence,” he preferred to simply be called Father Jorge.”
The best way to learn more about the new Pope is through his own writings he has authored a number of books and countless letters and sermons and past interviews. This book gathers over 250 quotations from the former Buenos Aires archbishop that will appeal to Catholics as well as anyone interested in learning more about how this new world figure will interact with political leaders throughout the world. Quotations are drawn from a variety of newspaper and magazine articles, transcripts, homilies, and speeches, as well as his books, including Sobre El Cielo and La Tierra.
Pope Francis in His Own Words will provide a concise and succinct way for people to quickly learn where he stands on the issues and discover his insights for Christian life.
Synopsis
The moment the identity of the newly elected 266th pontiff was revealed, it was clear to the thousands gathered in St. Peters Square, and to the watching world, that this pope was different in fascinating and exciting ways the first from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
When Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, spoke from the balcony of St. Peters Basilica, he greeted his audience colloquially: Brothers and sisters, good evening.” Downplaying his power and position, he proceeded not to bless the crowd but to ask them for their blessing: I ask a favor of you,” he said, bowing humbly. Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me.”
Francis has repeatedly foregone the fancy dress, lavish accommodations, and other luxuries of his position, emphasizing pastoral work with the sick and the poor and always seeking to empower the underdog. This revealing collection of his own words, gathered from sermons, interviews, and the Popes books, prompts understanding and insight into his way of being and believing and inspires goodwill, love, and hope.
About the Author
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, to an Italian immigrant father and an Argentinian mother. He graduated high school with a diploma in chemical technology and at age twenty-two, during a severe case of pneumonia, had part of one lung removed. Once fully recovered, he decided to devote himself to the priesthood and joined the Jesuits as a novice. After ten years of study, he was ordained a priest in 1969. In 1973, he became the regional leader for the worldwide Jesuit order. In 1992, Father Jorge, as he preferred to be called, was appointed Auxiliary Bishop in Buenos Aires, and he became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. Pope John Paul II appointed Bergoglio Cardinal in 2001.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Conclave met to elect a new pope. On March 13, 2013, after two days and five ballots, they elected Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis I.
Julie Schwietert Collazo has written for a variety of magazines including Time, National Geographic Traveler, and Latina, reporting widely on Latin America. She lives in New York, though she has called San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Mexico City home as well.
Lisa Rogak is the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty books and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. Her books have been published in more than two dozen languages. She lives in New Hampshire.