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Pope Francis: Life and Revolution: A Biography of Jorge Bergoglio
In Italy, they call him il Papa, which means “The Father.” Until his unprecedented election, author and friend Elisabetta Piqué called him Padre Jorge. He may have changed his name to become Pope Francis, but it did not change their friendship. Since Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013, countless books have been written to help the world understand this deeply complex yet simple servant of God. What sets Pope Life and Revolution apart from all other biographies of Pope Francis is the careful research and original investigation behind it, along with the fact that it is written by an internationally respected journalist—Elisabetta Piqué—who has remained close to the Pope since first meeting him back in 2001. Over 75 individuals were interviewed for Pope Life and Revolution, including lay people, priests, bishops, and cardinals who have known or worked with Francis at various times in his life. Insights from these people, as well as from friends and family members, allow us to see a profoundly personal side of the Pope. His humility and humanity, courage and conviction, and warmth and wisdom are revealed as Piqué shares little-known episodes from Francis’s life. With a foreword by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., Pope Life and Revolution is the definitive resource and narrative of a man personally known by few and revered and respected by many.Pope Life and Revolution reveals a man consistent in his beliefs and actions. He is a spiritual leader unwavering in his love for God, whose inner joy and peace move him—and can inspire us—to serve the least, the last, and the lost.Also available in Spanish! El Papa vida y revolución
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2013
83 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 4, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book because of the subject matter of the biography and the insights that the author was able to provide. However, it was a disappointing book for a variety of reasons. The author portrayed herself as a close confidant of the current Pope, but that was never clearly explained nor did she appear to have any remarkable insight into his life or personality. The book seemed to be a collection of chronological anecdotes written from a journalists perspective. Additionally, the entire book was written in the present tense, which was both irritating and moderately confusing. I was very disappointed.
March 13, 2015
Elisabetta Pique is a journalist who has known the pope for many years, calling him Papa Jorge in the early pages of the book and their history as acquaintances. She not only tells the stories of the Pope as a young man, but continues to put his life and ministry in the context of history and his culture. This is an interesting although, at times, ponderous read.
October 3, 2020
One of the many fascinating things about the life of Jesus Christ is that we are taught that he was fully God and fully human at the same time. I have to wonder at times, what did the “human” Jesus think about his destiny on earth as the son of God? Was he happy that he was the Chosen One? What struggles did “human” Jesus have? Did he ever wish that he could just be like everyone else? I certainly don’t think he welcomed the fact that he was to be crucified in the most barbaric way possible for the sins of mankind. Sure, the “God” side of him understood, but the “human” side?
I mention this because in many ways this seems to be the attitude of Argentinian Bishop Jorge Bergoglio when voices start to speculate that he might be elected the next Supreme Pontiff after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bergoglio is too old, he feels. In fact, he’s already “retired”. Such aspirations simply don’t enter such a humble priest’s mind who simply wants to be among his people and help feed the poor and needy. You would think most cardinals of the Catholic Church, or ANY leaders of a Christian group would feel the same way, yet history and nature tell a different story. After all, who wouldn’t want to be the “leader” of such an institution? No matter how pious one feels his heart to be, the temptation to be center stage is just too grand for most. Imagine a person being elected President of the U.S. who never campaigned, never even made a speech, and even told the constituents he didn’t want the job, yet gets elected anyway. I know. Impossible.
The first three chapters of this wonderful biography show us a wonderful exception, and arguably one of the most Christ-like leaders in history. Author Elisabetta Pique has an advantage in that she knows Bergoglio; she’s a journalist who has covered much of his activity over the years. It’s obvious that she loves the man and holds him in very high regard. Sometimes when I read biographies, I don’t always see this as a good thing. A well-written biography needs to show an honest picture of the subject, and not portray him in some bright, shiny hagiographic fashion. Yet one comes away with the feeling that her sentiments about Bergoglio are genuine. She sees this man as most of the world sees him, and is delighted when he is elected Pope Francis in 2013.
After the first few chapters that show the transition from Cardinal Bergoglio to Pope Francis, we then go back to the beginning. We don’t read much about Bergoglio’s early life, but we get enough to understand his nature and how his surroundings and devotion to God shape his early life. We read a lot about the crooked Argentinian regime where Bergoglio resides, and politics and religion don’t always make good bedfellows. We read accounts where Bergoglio risks his own life to save many renegade priests as well as continue to feed the poor and the needy. This is a man truly devoted to his mission. To be honest, the part of the book that deals with most of Bergoglio’s travails in native Argentina could be a bit overwhelming to a reader such as myself who isn’t very familiar with the politics nor the surroundings. There are a lot of Argentinian names of people and places thrown about, and it was hard for me to keep everything assimilated. There’s also an awful lot of Roman Catholic nomenclature here as well, and one not familiar with the many different titles and traditions may feel a bit overwhelmed as well.
The last third of the book goes back to the beginning, and we see the beginning of the reign of Pope Francis. Sadly, there’s still a lot of politics around, and those in power aren’t quite sure what to think of a pope who refuses to live in his glorious penthouse, electing instead to reside in modest quarters for many of the lower rungs of the ladder. This is a man who also refuses to use the “pope” limousine and chauffeur. He elects, instead, to drive his old Ford Focus around while carrying his own briefcase. Such a humble man can be dangerous to the powerful establishment.
This part of the book, though, is the most refreshing. It gives one hope. In an era of so much turmoil, distrust, and abuse, it truly gives one confidence to see that there is still goodness in the world. When such goodness is elevated to the top position in the Catholic Church, you can’t help but hope and pray that such materialistic trends can reverse, and a sense of decency and goodness can perhaps prevail.
We don’t get to read too much about his papal initiatives though. A slight drawback to this book is that it was written only one year into Francis’s papacy. So 20 years from now, one won’t really be able to look back at this book as being the “definitive” biography. There will still be so much more to tell. Most hope that the reforms of Francis will continue to focus on grace, charity, and goodness while pushing dogma and rigidness a bit further down on the priority meter. In an era with so much darkness in the hearts of people and their leaders, one hopes that this man’s light of optimism and compassion will continue to shine, becoming brighter and brighter. One can hope. And one can pray.
ad majorem Dei gloriam!
I mention this because in many ways this seems to be the attitude of Argentinian Bishop Jorge Bergoglio when voices start to speculate that he might be elected the next Supreme Pontiff after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bergoglio is too old, he feels. In fact, he’s already “retired”. Such aspirations simply don’t enter such a humble priest’s mind who simply wants to be among his people and help feed the poor and needy. You would think most cardinals of the Catholic Church, or ANY leaders of a Christian group would feel the same way, yet history and nature tell a different story. After all, who wouldn’t want to be the “leader” of such an institution? No matter how pious one feels his heart to be, the temptation to be center stage is just too grand for most. Imagine a person being elected President of the U.S. who never campaigned, never even made a speech, and even told the constituents he didn’t want the job, yet gets elected anyway. I know. Impossible.
The first three chapters of this wonderful biography show us a wonderful exception, and arguably one of the most Christ-like leaders in history. Author Elisabetta Pique has an advantage in that she knows Bergoglio; she’s a journalist who has covered much of his activity over the years. It’s obvious that she loves the man and holds him in very high regard. Sometimes when I read biographies, I don’t always see this as a good thing. A well-written biography needs to show an honest picture of the subject, and not portray him in some bright, shiny hagiographic fashion. Yet one comes away with the feeling that her sentiments about Bergoglio are genuine. She sees this man as most of the world sees him, and is delighted when he is elected Pope Francis in 2013.
After the first few chapters that show the transition from Cardinal Bergoglio to Pope Francis, we then go back to the beginning. We don’t read much about Bergoglio’s early life, but we get enough to understand his nature and how his surroundings and devotion to God shape his early life. We read a lot about the crooked Argentinian regime where Bergoglio resides, and politics and religion don’t always make good bedfellows. We read accounts where Bergoglio risks his own life to save many renegade priests as well as continue to feed the poor and the needy. This is a man truly devoted to his mission. To be honest, the part of the book that deals with most of Bergoglio’s travails in native Argentina could be a bit overwhelming to a reader such as myself who isn’t very familiar with the politics nor the surroundings. There are a lot of Argentinian names of people and places thrown about, and it was hard for me to keep everything assimilated. There’s also an awful lot of Roman Catholic nomenclature here as well, and one not familiar with the many different titles and traditions may feel a bit overwhelmed as well.
The last third of the book goes back to the beginning, and we see the beginning of the reign of Pope Francis. Sadly, there’s still a lot of politics around, and those in power aren’t quite sure what to think of a pope who refuses to live in his glorious penthouse, electing instead to reside in modest quarters for many of the lower rungs of the ladder. This is a man who also refuses to use the “pope” limousine and chauffeur. He elects, instead, to drive his old Ford Focus around while carrying his own briefcase. Such a humble man can be dangerous to the powerful establishment.
This part of the book, though, is the most refreshing. It gives one hope. In an era of so much turmoil, distrust, and abuse, it truly gives one confidence to see that there is still goodness in the world. When such goodness is elevated to the top position in the Catholic Church, you can’t help but hope and pray that such materialistic trends can reverse, and a sense of decency and goodness can perhaps prevail.
We don’t get to read too much about his papal initiatives though. A slight drawback to this book is that it was written only one year into Francis’s papacy. So 20 years from now, one won’t really be able to look back at this book as being the “definitive” biography. There will still be so much more to tell. Most hope that the reforms of Francis will continue to focus on grace, charity, and goodness while pushing dogma and rigidness a bit further down on the priority meter. In an era with so much darkness in the hearts of people and their leaders, one hopes that this man’s light of optimism and compassion will continue to shine, becoming brighter and brighter. One can hope. And one can pray.
ad majorem Dei gloriam!
September 22, 2020
I got this book after watching the two popes on Netflix and wanting to learn more about Pope Francis’ life. This book does a phenomenal job walking through the hard to grasp political affairs and gives great detail of the historical context of the Argentinian Dirty Wars. This isn’t necessarily a feel good after you read it but definitely uncovers the life of Pope Francis and provides context into how good and pure of a man he truly is, who has had to sail through turbulent waters his since his call
November 16, 2020
The real Pope Francis shines through this biography
I have been a concert to the faith since 1969 and was inspired to do so by two people. Firstly my fiance (My wife of 50yrs) and secondly Pope John XX111. To me he seem of the people and for the people and before I knew anything of Vatican 11, I was touched by his life. Since then I have visited Assisi especially the garden of St Francis and now have a great devotion to this most humble of saints who devoted his life to the poor and matginalised. I studied for a degree in Religious Studies in my early sixties and as part of my studies I read Leonardo Hoff especially and Liberation Theology in general. I only mention all these things to explain why I have been fundamental moved by the picture of Pope Francis that has been painted in this book. It has once again led me to a deeper insight in Our Lord Jesus Christ and to do some physical act to support the poor.
I have been a concert to the faith since 1969 and was inspired to do so by two people. Firstly my fiance (My wife of 50yrs) and secondly Pope John XX111. To me he seem of the people and for the people and before I knew anything of Vatican 11, I was touched by his life. Since then I have visited Assisi especially the garden of St Francis and now have a great devotion to this most humble of saints who devoted his life to the poor and matginalised. I studied for a degree in Religious Studies in my early sixties and as part of my studies I read Leonardo Hoff especially and Liberation Theology in general. I only mention all these things to explain why I have been fundamental moved by the picture of Pope Francis that has been painted in this book. It has once again led me to a deeper insight in Our Lord Jesus Christ and to do some physical act to support the poor.
August 11, 2024
4.3. This is solid writing to really understand who Pope. Francis was before he became pope… And it really helps tremendously in understanding who he is as our Pope. I definitely fell in love with his heart.
(I possibly would’ve rated it higher if it had covered at least the first five years of his being pope… But it stopped after his first year and I wanted more…. Of course this was written 10 years ago, so that’s not in anyway the fault of the author. 😜)
Within the first few chapters, I can understand so much more about WHO Jorge Bergoglio is. I can so much better see the heart of Christ that he walks. He truly sees Christ in every person that he looks at. Every person. I see such correlation between him and Mother Teresa… Their platforms are just different, but their love of Christ, every human being, and our faith is quite similar.
I’m glad I read this book, I think I will understand, appreciate, and like the things he has written, now that I’ve read this book. I definitely want to read another biography on him… But not quite yet.
(I possibly would’ve rated it higher if it had covered at least the first five years of his being pope… But it stopped after his first year and I wanted more…. Of course this was written 10 years ago, so that’s not in anyway the fault of the author. 😜)
Within the first few chapters, I can understand so much more about WHO Jorge Bergoglio is. I can so much better see the heart of Christ that he walks. He truly sees Christ in every person that he looks at. Every person. I see such correlation between him and Mother Teresa… Their platforms are just different, but their love of Christ, every human being, and our faith is quite similar.
I’m glad I read this book, I think I will understand, appreciate, and like the things he has written, now that I’ve read this book. I definitely want to read another biography on him… But not quite yet.
February 27, 2021
Very interesting and in depth look at the life and politics of a man, Jorge who wanted to be a priest and then obviously went on to become Pope Francis. At times it showed that even within the Catholic Church bullying is very much a problem. But the book also shows the resilience of the person who was bullied.
If like me, all you knew about Pope Francis was that he is Pope Francis, this book is a must read. I admired the man before I read this book but now I am in awe of his courage and determination. Very enjoyable book and I would highly recommend it.
If like me, all you knew about Pope Francis was that he is Pope Francis, this book is a must read. I admired the man before I read this book but now I am in awe of his courage and determination. Very enjoyable book and I would highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2021
Finding a good biography on a living Pope must be the hardest task in the world. There are some good details in this book, but overall, this is nothing but worshiping memoir of a great man. There are no complexities in his character brought out of which there are many that make him in my mind such a great leader and man. Lots of quotes saying how spiritual he is, but very boring read overall.
August 10, 2020
Extraordinario libro de Elisabetta Piqué, una de las mejores periodistas "vaticanistas".
January 22, 2021
His leadership is on display - humility, service in the field, a Shepard with his flock- throughout his life well before the Vatican.
Read
March 31, 2022I read this book the week leading up to Pope Francis reforming the Curia!
February 26, 2022
Resumen EL PAPA FRANCISCO Vida y revolución
Una biografía de Jorge Bergoglio.
El humo blanco en la chimenea de la plaza en San Pedro anunciaba la llegada del nuevo representante de cristo, parecía como una historia imposible que tuviéramos dos papas al mismo tiempo, pero sucedía. Al quinto intento del conclave es elegido el nuevo papa con una avasallante cantidad de votos, intentare resumir lo que la presente obra puede dejarte si decides leerla, independientemente de la fe que profeses te aseguro que sumaras grandes aportaciones a tu vida personal, y también a quienes te rodean; Es la historia del ser humano que tentado por un llamado divino vuelca toda su fe a la consagración de su vida al servicio, acogido y abrigado por la orden de los jesuitas la compañía de Jesús.
con un expediente cargado de servicio y entrega total al trabajo de calle en las comunidades más desprotegidas que a lo largo de toda su carrera sacerdotal va llevándolo a servir, con un estilo muy particular y propio, pero al mismo tiempo de una espontánea forma humilde de vivir, de comportarse y de entregarse a cada una de las responsabilidades doctrinales que van llegándole durante todos sus años, la capacidad, la entrega y el ser humano inspirador que con un férreo ejemplo de vida personal va escalando sin desearlo y sin esperarlo, las diferentes responsabilidades eclesiásticas que lo habrán de llevar a ocupar el lugar de san pedro en roma.
Los sucesos históricos en su país de fuertes sacudidas políticas y militares, con tintes de sangre habrían de perseguir durante toda su vida a su figura representativa y poner en constante prueba sus capacidades de líder, vio se envuelto en hechos de sangre pero que habrían de ser repelidos y apoyados por innumerables testimonios que hablan del ser humano benefactor e intercesor de los perseguidos políticos de esa época.
La renuncia anunciada por el papa Benedicto XVI deja entrever los grandes y profundos cambios que la iglesia en el mundo necesita, y con el antecedente en las votaciones del conclave posterior a la muerte del papa Juan Pablo II, donde el nombre de Bergoglio ya figuraba en la papeletas de los cardenales presentes, en la mente de Ratzinger ya figuraba, como el candidato en quien veía poseer las cualidades necesarias para los nuevos retos de orden y acomodo desde la curia romana hasta todo el orbe en la tierra.
Francisco nombre que elige, y que evoca a las tradiciones del Santo San Francisco de Asís identificado como quien paso a vivir en las más estricta de la pobreza, con su nombre recién elegido viene a dar un claro, fuerte y contundente mensaje de cual vendría hacer el nuevo orden en la santa sede y a las iglesias de todo el mundo.
Esta gran obra de una periodista cercana a la vida del nuevo papa francisco desde mucho antes de lograr ser el representante de cristo en la tierra.
Una biografía de Jorge Bergoglio.
El humo blanco en la chimenea de la plaza en San Pedro anunciaba la llegada del nuevo representante de cristo, parecía como una historia imposible que tuviéramos dos papas al mismo tiempo, pero sucedía. Al quinto intento del conclave es elegido el nuevo papa con una avasallante cantidad de votos, intentare resumir lo que la presente obra puede dejarte si decides leerla, independientemente de la fe que profeses te aseguro que sumaras grandes aportaciones a tu vida personal, y también a quienes te rodean; Es la historia del ser humano que tentado por un llamado divino vuelca toda su fe a la consagración de su vida al servicio, acogido y abrigado por la orden de los jesuitas la compañía de Jesús.
con un expediente cargado de servicio y entrega total al trabajo de calle en las comunidades más desprotegidas que a lo largo de toda su carrera sacerdotal va llevándolo a servir, con un estilo muy particular y propio, pero al mismo tiempo de una espontánea forma humilde de vivir, de comportarse y de entregarse a cada una de las responsabilidades doctrinales que van llegándole durante todos sus años, la capacidad, la entrega y el ser humano inspirador que con un férreo ejemplo de vida personal va escalando sin desearlo y sin esperarlo, las diferentes responsabilidades eclesiásticas que lo habrán de llevar a ocupar el lugar de san pedro en roma.
Los sucesos históricos en su país de fuertes sacudidas políticas y militares, con tintes de sangre habrían de perseguir durante toda su vida a su figura representativa y poner en constante prueba sus capacidades de líder, vio se envuelto en hechos de sangre pero que habrían de ser repelidos y apoyados por innumerables testimonios que hablan del ser humano benefactor e intercesor de los perseguidos políticos de esa época.
La renuncia anunciada por el papa Benedicto XVI deja entrever los grandes y profundos cambios que la iglesia en el mundo necesita, y con el antecedente en las votaciones del conclave posterior a la muerte del papa Juan Pablo II, donde el nombre de Bergoglio ya figuraba en la papeletas de los cardenales presentes, en la mente de Ratzinger ya figuraba, como el candidato en quien veía poseer las cualidades necesarias para los nuevos retos de orden y acomodo desde la curia romana hasta todo el orbe en la tierra.
Francisco nombre que elige, y que evoca a las tradiciones del Santo San Francisco de Asís identificado como quien paso a vivir en las más estricta de la pobreza, con su nombre recién elegido viene a dar un claro, fuerte y contundente mensaje de cual vendría hacer el nuevo orden en la santa sede y a las iglesias de todo el mundo.
Esta gran obra de una periodista cercana a la vida del nuevo papa francisco desde mucho antes de lograr ser el representante de cristo en la tierra.
February 23, 2015
At about the half way mark and my star rating for this book is falling.
To be fair,I have learned some of what makes up Pope Francis' life and some possible roots to his pastoral approach that have been informative and inspiring to where I will be working to exercise some of those methods and approaches into my own ministerial life with God's help of course.
That being said, it has been a rough go of it to get those points in any deeper of a context than just a little more than sound byte quality and the way in which the book is written in general makes it difficult to follow.
I am not terribly familiar with biographies, but my assumption would be that they tend to follow some kind of logical if not chronological order. This one seems to follow neither. There is an undercurrent of linear time (that moves like tectonic shift) but on the surface it is turbulent with so much time jumping that it is hard to follow. Given the chapter titles, it would also appear to be organized in logical main events in Pope Francis' life, but these chapters are a coagulation of smaller events and quotes from people that seem to sidetrack any main point she may have been trying to make. The two of these mixed together make it difficult to see the true genius in the Pope and each chapter has been like a panning for gold, sifting through the muck of conspiracy theory and swirling mass of time and subject changes to find the Pope as he is and how he grew to be who he is.
I have not given up on this yet but I have no fears that the rest will probably be more of the same.
To be fair,I have learned some of what makes up Pope Francis' life and some possible roots to his pastoral approach that have been informative and inspiring to where I will be working to exercise some of those methods and approaches into my own ministerial life with God's help of course.
That being said, it has been a rough go of it to get those points in any deeper of a context than just a little more than sound byte quality and the way in which the book is written in general makes it difficult to follow.
I am not terribly familiar with biographies, but my assumption would be that they tend to follow some kind of logical if not chronological order. This one seems to follow neither. There is an undercurrent of linear time (that moves like tectonic shift) but on the surface it is turbulent with so much time jumping that it is hard to follow. Given the chapter titles, it would also appear to be organized in logical main events in Pope Francis' life, but these chapters are a coagulation of smaller events and quotes from people that seem to sidetrack any main point she may have been trying to make. The two of these mixed together make it difficult to see the true genius in the Pope and each chapter has been like a panning for gold, sifting through the muck of conspiracy theory and swirling mass of time and subject changes to find the Pope as he is and how he grew to be who he is.
I have not given up on this yet but I have no fears that the rest will probably be more of the same.
January 3, 2015
Written by an Argentine who happens to be a personal friend of the Pope, this book borders on hagiography, BUT - it's a good read, and though it's not warts and all, it's a compelling picture of a Pope who takes the words of Christ to St. Francis, "Francis, heal my church," as his marching orders.
People may wonder what all the fuss is about, but to have a person elevated to this degree who has a working moral compass, feet on the ground, a kind heart, and a spine of steel, is the best news this poor blue planet has had in a long time.
Francis is moving so fast this book is already behind. What he's recently done with the Vatican Bank, and the truly awful Curia is rocking the Barque of Peter like a holy typhoon.
Revolution. The word is the conclave doesn't always get what it expects. When they chose JPII they thought they had a moderate and he turned out to be an arch-conservative, now with Francis they thought they were getting a liberal but they have a revolutionary. Let it be so.
I'm also going to read: The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope. I like this guy.
People may wonder what all the fuss is about, but to have a person elevated to this degree who has a working moral compass, feet on the ground, a kind heart, and a spine of steel, is the best news this poor blue planet has had in a long time.
Francis is moving so fast this book is already behind. What he's recently done with the Vatican Bank, and the truly awful Curia is rocking the Barque of Peter like a holy typhoon.
Revolution. The word is the conclave doesn't always get what it expects. When they chose JPII they thought they had a moderate and he turned out to be an arch-conservative, now with Francis they thought they were getting a liberal but they have a revolutionary. Let it be so.
I'm also going to read: The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope. I like this guy.
May 21, 2014
Elisabetta Piqué aborda la vida de Jorge Bergoglio, papa Francisco, de forma clara y directa, dando una exposición documentada por el testimonio de quienes participaron en los diversos acontecimientos relatados. Amiga del papa, no rehúye los aspectos de Bergoglio envueltos en polémica, poniendo luz sobre el origen de las diversas controversias.
Un libro bien escrito, ágil y clarificador sobre la vida de un jesuíta, un obispo bonaerense que ha destacado notablemente como obispo de Roma desde el primer momento de su elección. Viendo su recorrido vital, Elisabetta nos muestra que no hay impostura en los gestos, palabras y mensaje del papa, y sí sorpresa en la facilidad de comunicación y la alegria que manifiesta desde el día de su eleccción como romano pontífice.
Un libro bien escrito, ágil y clarificador sobre la vida de un jesuíta, un obispo bonaerense que ha destacado notablemente como obispo de Roma desde el primer momento de su elección. Viendo su recorrido vital, Elisabetta nos muestra que no hay impostura en los gestos, palabras y mensaje del papa, y sí sorpresa en la facilidad de comunicación y la alegria que manifiesta desde el día de su eleccción como romano pontífice.
September 22, 2016
I have admired Pope Francis and wanted to learn more about him, so chose this book on the recommendation of others and its reviews. I must admit that since I am Jewish and with some but less knowledge of Catholicism, I did skim through some of the intricacies of the "politics" within the Catholic church, but I did find the book educational and informative about the life and values of Pope Francis and a bit more about the changes that occurred as Jorge Bergoglio was chosen to become this pope. It definitely was worth reading.
June 16, 2016
My purpose in reading was to find out about Pope Francis' background and what had shaped him to have such deep compassion for the poor. Because it is written by a journalist who knew him in Argentina, it is full of stories that give an insight into his character. I loved learning about him, but I am giving it 4 stars because it is a bit difficult to follow at times: not written linearly and also seems to change tenses quite a bit, which was confusing.
December 16, 2014
Did anyone who wrote a review read this? What a bore. I didn't think someone could make him boring, but I couldn't get past the first two chapters because she talks about herself so much, her analysis, why she knew (hindsight) that he was going to be the pope. I couldn't get through her narcissism. Thank God I didn't pay for this book.
January 29, 2015
Very god read
January 2, 2016
Very detailed
Good book. Was a little long for me. Did portray a pope I wanted to know more about. Interesting book
Good book. Was a little long for me. Did portray a pope I wanted to know more about. Interesting book
December 29, 2015
This was a very good book. It was a mostly-easy read (though there was lots of Italian lingo), and it was enjoyable. Good to learn the basic biography of the current Pope.
April 4, 2016
A great book that inspires. A leader that do before saying
April 23, 2017
Very well written and a good book to provide lay people like you and me an insider view of the life and belief of this humble pope
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews