Francis: The People's Pope

This handsomely illustrated volume pairs inspiring photographs of the first year of Pope Francis's papacy with quotations from his published works, interviews, and homilies about his transformational vision for the Church and humanity itself. Much of the world was awestruck and surprised when Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires was elected Pope Francis, for as Bishop of Buenos Aires and later Cardinal, Bergolgio had long espoused a more tolerant and welcoming vision of the Church. Pope Francis has been called the "pope of the people" as he captures the minds and hearts with his joyful faith, with his warm, direct, and loving attention to those he meets, and with his attention to the poor, the needy, the outcast, and those who are different or have been somehow left behind by society. Pope Francis has spoken movingly about his spiritual life, his hopes for church reform, his open-minded stance toward gays and lesbians, his views on women – and even his favourite movies. The images and words in this inspiring volume reflect the warm pastoral style of Pope Francis and cover themes that he frequently touches upon in public discourse – the mercy of God, the scandal of poverty, the need for tolerance, and the challenge to become true disciples of Jesus and not "part-time Christians".

This handsome volume is designed to be treasured for years to come and will fill Catholics and non-Catholics alike with hope, making a thoughtful and beautiful gift to be read again and again as a constant source of faith, understanding, and spiritual renewal.