Synopses & Reviews
Want to know the inside story of the recent abdication by one Pope and the election of a startling new one--complete with colorful photos and analysis by the noted journalist Philip Lawler? Well, here it is.—
Fr. C. J. McCloskey, Church historian and Research Fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute in Washington DC.
An outstanding photo journal featuring more than 150 full color photos tells the inspiring story of Pope Francis. He loves the tango and was trained as a Chemist. In his youth he had a regular girlfriend whom he planned to marry. For a Pope, Francis has an unusual life story. Drawing from conversations, interviews, inside information, and the Pope's own writings and talks, A Call to Serve offers first-hand information, moving reflections, and profound insights into the life of Jorge Bergoglio, the fascinating papal election, the challenges ahead, and the heart of Pope Francis.
Review
"Want to know the inside story of the recent abdication by one Pope and the election of a startling new one--complete with colorful photos and analysis by the noted journalist Philip Lawler? Well, here it is."—Fr. C. J. McCloskey, Church historian and Research Fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute in Washington DC.
Review
Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) is the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church having been elected Bishop of Rome. He is thereby also the Sovereign of Vatican City. Born in Buenos Aires as the son of Italian parents, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technician before entering seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1969. From 1973 to 1979 he was Argentina's Provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and a cardinal in 2001. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February 2013, on 13 March 2013 the papal conclave elected Bergoglio, who chose the papal name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. Throughout his life, both as an individual and a religious leader, Bergoglio has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths. He is known for having a simpler and less formal approach to the papacy, most notably by choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace formerly used by his predecessors. In addition, he is known for favoring simpler vestments void of ornamentation, by starting to refuse the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election. The collaborative work of Stefan von Kempis (Editor of Vatican Radio) and Philip F. Lawler (Editor of Catholic World News), "A Call to Serve: Pope Francis and the Catholic Future" is a 160 page compendium providing interested readers with a profusely illustrated and personal story of Pope Francis—and in that telling reveals background details of his unprecedented papal election. Drawn from conversations, interviews, insider information, and Pope Francis own writings, "A Call to Serve: Pope Francis and the Catholic Future" is very highly recommended reading for Catholics and non-Catholics alike!
Synopsis
The uplifting story of a pope who hails from the far side of the world, who knows how to dance the tango, and who shares Christs love for the poor. Full color, with hundreds of photos, this unique account of Pope Franciss life was jointly crafted by a journalist from Vatican Radio, and the editor of Catholic World News. It offers inside information on the papal resignation and election, detailed accounts of the popes life and thought, and gripping stories of a man who has confronted, poverty, dictatorship, and revolution. Learn along with the church how Pope Francis calls all of us to serve.
Synopsis
This thoughtful, lively introduction to Pope Franciss life and his promising future in the Vatican details the historic events surrounding Pope Benedict XVIs resignation, the subsequent election of Pope Francis, and the particulars of the new popes spirituality and thought. The book, jointly crafted by a Vatican Radio editor and journalist and the editor of the internet news service Catholic World News, artfully combines European and American perspectives and looks at the implications of the election of the first pope from the Americas who also is the first Jesuit pope in history. This beautiful volume features an accessible format, anecdotes and additional background information broken into boxes, and full-color photography on nearly every page, all the while relating the gripping stories of a man who has confronted poverty, dictatorship, and revolution.
About the Author
Philip F. Lawler is editor of Catholic World News, the first English-language Catholic news service operating on the internet, which he founded in 1995. Born and raised in the Boston area, he attended Harvard College, graduating with honors in Government in 1972. He did graduate work in political philosophy at the University of Chicago before entering a career in journalism. Mr. Lawler has served as Director of Studies for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank based in Washington; as founder and president of a national organization of Catholic laity; and as editor of Crisis magazine. In 1986 he became the first layman to edit The Pilot, the Boston archdiocesan newspaper. From 1993 through 2005 he was editor of the international monthly magazine Catholic World Report. Philip Lawler has been active in political campaigns, as a speechwriter and organizer, on the local, state, and national levels. He was an honorary member of the the Inauguration Committees for President Ronald Reagan in 1984, and for President George Bush in 1988. In 2000, he himself was a candidate for the US Senate, running against Sen. Edward Kennedy. Mr. Lawler is the author of six books on political and religious topics; the most recent is The Faithful Departed, on the decline of Catholic influence in Boston. His essays, book reviews, and editorial columns have appeared in over 100 newspapers around the United States and abroad, including the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Boston Globe. He and his wife Leila have seven children. The Lawlers now live in central Massachusetts. Stefan Von Kempis is an editor with Vatican Radio. Mr. Von Kempis holds degrees in Theology and History, as well as a degree in Islamic Studies from the university of Kaori. He has written several books on Pope Benedict. He lives in Rome with his family.