Pope Francis

Some people want to know why I wished to be called Francis. For me, Francis of Assisi is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation. Pope Francis, March 16, 2013 By taking the name of one of the most widely respected figures in history, Pope Francis set a high bar for his papacy. The legacy of St Francis is epic: a breath-taking testament to divine love and the human capacity for compassion and joy. Since his election in March 2013, the pope’s Franciscan ‘accent’ has become increasingly evident. His optimism, creativity, courage, and playful sense of humour are reminiscent of the beloved saint.

Written with gratitude for all educators, Pope Francis offers deep understanding and challenge in these powerful reflections for successful catechesis, teaching, and education. The writings express how education requires the development of profound empathy and an active spirituality, as well as clear understanding of its humanizing force and the dignity of the human person. The included texts have been chosen for this volume of the Pope Francis Resource Library from the treasure chest of talks by then Archbishop Bergoglio to the catechists of Buenos Aires.

The focal point of Pope Francis' Church is mercy: in the dialogue between human fragility and God's mercy the Church has to welcome and help everyone to find the 'good news' of Christian hope. As part of his revolutionary new vision for the Church, Francis calls on all believers to be 'full-time Christians' and not 'living-room Christians', and to struggle against the trappings of power, and the worship of money and careerism. Francis has spoken and written widely on these themes during his first year as Pope, and his thoughts are here collected for the first time, edited and abridged with full Vatican approval. The book is aimed at a broader readership, believers and non-believers, priests, religious, dedicated laypeople, and teachers.

My Door is Always Open is the complete and definitive set of interviews between Pope Francis and Jesuit priest Antonio Spadaro. In the summer of 2013, Pope Francis gave three extended interviews to Spadaro, the head of La Civiltà Cattolica (Catholic Civilisation), a Catholic periodical based in Rome, in which he spoke at length about his background, his Faith, and his vision for the Roman Catholic Church. Here, at last, is the complete collection of the interviews with a full commentary by Spadaro, the interlocutor and commentator. In this compelling and engrossing dialogue, Antonio Spadaro introduces a Pope of great intellect and intelligence, who for the first time gives a rounded and substantial account of where he may lead the Roman Catholic Church in the years to come. Insightful and sincere, Pope Francis expounds upon the contemporary issues facing the Church, including the role of women and his experiences at the heart of Church governance, and he and Spadaro discuss at length the major issues facing religion around the world. Including accounts of Pope Francis’ visit to Brazil for World Youth Week, My Door is Always Open is the first book written by the Pope since he was elected and is the most convincing and persuasive guide to Pope Francis’s vision as one of the most charismatic figures of our time.

The encyclical letter Lumen Fidei is the great monument of the Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI and brought to completion by Pope Francis. It is a capstone of the year, but at the same time a milestone of a long road, a road we have only begun to travel: the road of the New Evangelization." -from the Foreword by Scott Hahn On June 29, 2013 Pope Francis issued his first papal letter reflecting on the nature of belief and the need to renew our faith for a bright future of charity and love for all. The light of Faith: this is how the Church's tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus, Pope Francis writes. In John's Gospel, Christ says of himself: 'I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.' Here is an illuminating work inviting all to lead a more spiritual and faith-based, a reminder that with faith comes service, and with service to others and to God comes heaven on earth.