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God is Young
Pope Francis examines the role of millennials in the future of the Catholic Church in this urgent call to believers of all generations to work together to build a better world.
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has reinvigorated the Catholic Church and become one of the most popular global leaders. Now, in this extraordinary interview, His Holiness challenges millennials to lead a "sweet revolution" that unites young and old in a mission to remake the world. Pope Francis reminds Catholics of all ages that "God is young, He is always new." He has energy, spontaneity, and the desire for change--youthful qualities that can be rallied to fight the many problems facing the Catholic Church, and the world at large. In this inspiring interview, published in English for the first time, Pope Francis's solution to these problems is simple: a bridge between generations, between the wisdom of experience and the courage of youth.
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has reinvigorated the Catholic Church and become one of the most popular global leaders. Now, in this extraordinary interview, His Holiness challenges millennials to lead a "sweet revolution" that unites young and old in a mission to remake the world. Pope Francis reminds Catholics of all ages that "God is young, He is always new." He has energy, spontaneity, and the desire for change--youthful qualities that can be rallied to fight the many problems facing the Catholic Church, and the world at large. In this inspiring interview, published in English for the first time, Pope Francis's solution to these problems is simple: a bridge between generations, between the wisdom of experience and the courage of youth.
128 pages, Hardcover
Published October 2, 2018
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931 people want to read
About the author
Pope Francis
1,322 books1,002 followersPope Francis (Latin: Franciscus; Italian: Francesco; Spanish: Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, a title he held ex officio as Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European pope since the Syrian Gregory III, who died in 741.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He was accused of handing two priests to the National Reorganization Process during the Dirty War, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina, and the administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him a political rival. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March.
Throughout his public life, Pope Francis had been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He was credited with having a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and Ignatian aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler vestments void of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his piscatory ring, and keeping the same pectoral cross he had as Cardinal. He maintained that the church should be more open and welcoming. He did not support unbridled capitalism, Marxism, or Marxist versions of liberation theology. Francis maintained the traditional views of the church regarding abortion, euthanasia, contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women, and priestly celibacy. He opposed consumerism, irresponsible development, and supported taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato si'. In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bergoglio worked briefly as a chemical technologist and nightclub bouncer before beginning seminary studies. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's provincial superior of the Society of Jesus. He was accused of handing two priests to the National Reorganization Process during the Dirty War, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. He led the Argentine Church during the December 2001 riots in Argentina, and the administrations of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner considered him a political rival. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March.
Throughout his public life, Pope Francis had been noted for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He was credited with having a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, for instance choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and Ignatian aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler vestments void of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his piscatory ring, and keeping the same pectoral cross he had as Cardinal. He maintained that the church should be more open and welcoming. He did not support unbridled capitalism, Marxism, or Marxist versions of liberation theology. Francis maintained the traditional views of the church regarding abortion, euthanasia, contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women, and priestly celibacy. He opposed consumerism, irresponsible development, and supported taking action on climate change, a focus of his papacy with the promulgation of Laudato si'. In international diplomacy, he helped to restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 11, 2019
I like to think that youth does not exist, only young people. Just as old age does not exist, but old people do. And when I say “old” people I don’t mean it as a bad word, on the contrary. It’s a very beautiful word. — Francis
In this short collection of interviews two things (at least) shone through: Pope Francis cares most about people — especially people who are cast aside, devalued, or exploited in some way, like young people and old people. And Francis has courage. He sets a profound example of how to embrace the Christian way of love, in the best sense of those two terms (Christian and love). His intelligence and discernment combine with authenticity and humility that make me want to be near him. Even when he says something I don't fully agree with or "get," I respect his integrity.
The questions and answers are grouped in three parts. In Part I—Young Prophets and Old Dreamers—Francis lifts up young people by comparing their attributes to those ascribed to God — movement, creativity, making all things new. (This has a subtext for what he would like to see in the Church, I think.) He encourages us to allow young people to be protagonists, and for young and old people to come together, so that old wisdom may be carried forward in fresh new ways. He remembers the critical importance of his grandmothers and other elderly women in his own young life.
Part II—In This World—begins with a discussion of the relationship between climate change, environmental degradation and the “consuming consumption” of our throwaway society that casts out not only things, but human beings — young, old, poor, disabled, weak, ill — any human being who does not conform, consume or produce to maximum capacity. The discussion touches on prisoners and the death penalty, immigration and refugees, people being sex-trafficked, people addicted to drugs and/or suffering from mental illness.
In Part III. Teaching is Learning, Francis answered questions about education by parents, teachers, and other people in the life of a young person.
Throughout, I was impressed by Francis’s discernment in separating the harmful from the non-harmful. For instance, when asked about the dangers of people “playing god” with technology, Francis countered that generally speaking technology is beneficial to humankind — the risk is exploitation of human beings in aggressive pursuit of a goal. The traditional biblical myth of the Tower of Babel tells of humans trying to build a tower to reach heaven; God prevents them by confounding their languages. But Francis drew out a different meaning:
When I think of the Tower of Babel, I also think about how much labor it cost. If a brick fell from the tower you could shriek at the calamity and whoever caused it was punished mercilessly, but if a worker fell and was severely injured or died, do you know what happened? Absolutely nothing.
Francis prays daily for a sense of humor using a humorous prayer* by Saint Thomas More. Maybe I'll adopt it! For sure I'll be reading more from this lovely man from whom there is so much to learn of the real life practices of love.
***********************
*Prayer for Good Humor:
by Saint Thomas More
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good
and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,
nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.
Amen.
In this short collection of interviews two things (at least) shone through: Pope Francis cares most about people — especially people who are cast aside, devalued, or exploited in some way, like young people and old people. And Francis has courage. He sets a profound example of how to embrace the Christian way of love, in the best sense of those two terms (Christian and love). His intelligence and discernment combine with authenticity and humility that make me want to be near him. Even when he says something I don't fully agree with or "get," I respect his integrity.
The questions and answers are grouped in three parts. In Part I—Young Prophets and Old Dreamers—Francis lifts up young people by comparing their attributes to those ascribed to God — movement, creativity, making all things new. (This has a subtext for what he would like to see in the Church, I think.) He encourages us to allow young people to be protagonists, and for young and old people to come together, so that old wisdom may be carried forward in fresh new ways. He remembers the critical importance of his grandmothers and other elderly women in his own young life.
Part II—In This World—begins with a discussion of the relationship between climate change, environmental degradation and the “consuming consumption” of our throwaway society that casts out not only things, but human beings — young, old, poor, disabled, weak, ill — any human being who does not conform, consume or produce to maximum capacity. The discussion touches on prisoners and the death penalty, immigration and refugees, people being sex-trafficked, people addicted to drugs and/or suffering from mental illness.
In Part III. Teaching is Learning, Francis answered questions about education by parents, teachers, and other people in the life of a young person.
Throughout, I was impressed by Francis’s discernment in separating the harmful from the non-harmful. For instance, when asked about the dangers of people “playing god” with technology, Francis countered that generally speaking technology is beneficial to humankind — the risk is exploitation of human beings in aggressive pursuit of a goal. The traditional biblical myth of the Tower of Babel tells of humans trying to build a tower to reach heaven; God prevents them by confounding their languages. But Francis drew out a different meaning:
When I think of the Tower of Babel, I also think about how much labor it cost. If a brick fell from the tower you could shriek at the calamity and whoever caused it was punished mercilessly, but if a worker fell and was severely injured or died, do you know what happened? Absolutely nothing.
Francis prays daily for a sense of humor using a humorous prayer* by Saint Thomas More. Maybe I'll adopt it! For sure I'll be reading more from this lovely man from whom there is so much to learn of the real life practices of love.
***********************
*Prayer for Good Humor:
by Saint Thomas More
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good
and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,
nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.
Amen.
October 2, 2018
Permitir que los jóvenes se conviertan en protagonistas.
Previo al Sínodo de los jóvenes, resulta muy pertinente la entrevista que hace Thomas Leoncini al Papa Francisco y que se ha publicado bajo el título "Dios es joven".
Con gran carisma y la apertura de corazón que le caracterizan, el Papa Francisco responde a las preguntas del entrevistador de manera contundente y sin correcciones políticas. Sin embargo, se deja ver el gran amor con el que el Papa se dirige a los jóvenes.
A pesar de ser un texto breve, Francisco Dialoga sobre Tecnología, juventud, cultura, política y hasta Bullying. Con respuestas concretas que -muy al estilo del Papa- más que dar lecciones buscan hacer mella en el corazón de los lectores e invitar a una reflexión profunda y a conciencia sobre nuestro modo de vivir, más allá de nuestras creencias.
Cabe mencionar que si bien el Papa es cabeza de la Iglesia Católica, y éste es un libro que penetrará de manera mucho más profunda en jóvenes creyentes -particularmente católicos-, Francisco no habla solamente a los católicos ni a los creyentes. Cualquier persona de buena voluntad, que se acerque a este texto, encontrará interrogantes sobre el consumismo, la cultura del descarte y el mundo en el que viviremos si no hacemos algo para cambiar las condiciones actuales.
Sin duda, una lectura valiosa, una aproximación muy tierna y coloquial al pensamiento del Papa Francisco.
Previo al Sínodo de los jóvenes, resulta muy pertinente la entrevista que hace Thomas Leoncini al Papa Francisco y que se ha publicado bajo el título "Dios es joven".
Con gran carisma y la apertura de corazón que le caracterizan, el Papa Francisco responde a las preguntas del entrevistador de manera contundente y sin correcciones políticas. Sin embargo, se deja ver el gran amor con el que el Papa se dirige a los jóvenes.
A pesar de ser un texto breve, Francisco Dialoga sobre Tecnología, juventud, cultura, política y hasta Bullying. Con respuestas concretas que -muy al estilo del Papa- más que dar lecciones buscan hacer mella en el corazón de los lectores e invitar a una reflexión profunda y a conciencia sobre nuestro modo de vivir, más allá de nuestras creencias.
Cabe mencionar que si bien el Papa es cabeza de la Iglesia Católica, y éste es un libro que penetrará de manera mucho más profunda en jóvenes creyentes -particularmente católicos-, Francisco no habla solamente a los católicos ni a los creyentes. Cualquier persona de buena voluntad, que se acerque a este texto, encontrará interrogantes sobre el consumismo, la cultura del descarte y el mundo en el que viviremos si no hacemos algo para cambiar las condiciones actuales.
Sin duda, una lectura valiosa, una aproximación muy tierna y coloquial al pensamiento del Papa Francisco.
October 12, 2020
Honestly, I was pretty bored by the questions posed to Pope some of which were cliched, moralistic and bore a burdening seal of Catholicism. Well, more could be asked to this guy who strays from the ways of his predecessors. I was amused by Pope Francis's way of responding, evading the conformity imbibed in the questions. Also, I am impressed by the trust he invests in youth, technology and his constant references to labour and other economic realities. What struck me most importantly is the part where he talks about the dangers of a single thought and the need for dialogue.
May 4, 2019
Oho, kiek daug gražių, paprastų ir prasmingų minčių... Taip ir norisi jas kartoti kas rytą, kad diena taptų skaidresnė ir šviesesnė.
„Visiems jaunuoliams, bet ne tik jiems, sakau: nebijokite skirtybių ir savo trapumo, silpnųjų vietų; gyvenimas yra vienintelis ir nepakartojamas toks, koks yra; Dievas laukia mūsų kiekvieną rytą, kai nubundame, kad vėl mums įteiktų šią dovaną. Saugokime ją su meile, sklidini gerumo ir natūralumo.“
„Visiems jaunuoliams, bet ne tik jiems, sakau: nebijokite skirtybių ir savo trapumo, silpnųjų vietų; gyvenimas yra vienintelis ir nepakartojamas toks, koks yra; Dievas laukia mūsų kiekvieną rytą, kai nubundame, kad vėl mums įteiktų šią dovaną. Saugokime ją su meile, sklidini gerumo ir natūralumo.“
April 20, 2021
5/5 estrellas
Hermoso libro de no más de 100 páginas que me devoré. Sinceramente no pensé que me iba a gustar. Es un libro entrevista (aunque yo diría más una conversación) donde, de verdad, confieso que disfruto mucho de leer a nuestro Papa Francisco; No sé si es, porque está "escrito en argentino" pero lo que él narra me atrapó y no paré hasta terminarlo (y estaba cansada y los ojos no me daban más) porque no sólo es un libro dirigido a los jóvenes, los grandes rechazados, junto con los ancianos, sino para nosotros los adultos.
El libro toca variados como la libertad, los padres, la fe, la vocación.
Sin duda lo recomiendo para aquellos que desean profundizar en el ámbito espiritual.
Algunas citas:
"la salvación de los viejos es darles a los jóvenes la memoria, y esto convierte a los viejos en unos auténticos soñadores de futuro; mientras que la salvación de los jóvenes es tomar estas enseñanzas, estos sueños, y seguir en la profecía. Para que nuestros jóvenes tengan visiones, sean ellos mismos soñadores y puedan afrontar con audacia y valentía los tiempos futuros, hace falta que escuchen los sueños proféticos de sus antepasados."
"Todo esto tiene relación con lo que yo llamo la revolución de la ternura, pues en el acercamiento de un joven a un anciano hay una necesidad de ternura, y hace falta ternura si un anciano quiere acercarse a un joven. El mensaje debe partir de los unos y de los otros, no hay jerarquías, ambos deben buscarse."
"No somos nada sin la cabeza y sin el corazón, no somos nada si nos movemos presa de los instintos y sin la razón. La razón y el corazón nos acercan los unos a los otros de una manera real; y nos acercan a Dios para que podamos pensar en Dios y podamos decidir ir a buscarlo. Con la razón y el corazón podemos también entender quién está mal, identificarnos con él, convertirnos en portadores del bien y del altruismo."
"Los padres del desierto comparaban la vanidad con una cebolla porque —decían— cuesta llegar a su centro: se sigue deshojando, pero queda siempre algo; cuando menos, queda el olor. La vanidad es una burbuja de jabón, y ser vanidoso significa falsear la propia vida."
"Tener miedo de la muerte significa tener miedo de la aniquilación total: tan solo quien tiene fe en el más allá es capaz de tener confianza. Cuando hablo de la muerte con ateos, o con quienes se consideran como tales, excavando un poco más a fondo en su ateísmo descubro que en muchos de ellos es recurrente que se refieran al más allá, a una energía; algunos la llaman así, que es algo en lo que coincidimos todos."
Hermoso libro de no más de 100 páginas que me devoré. Sinceramente no pensé que me iba a gustar. Es un libro entrevista (aunque yo diría más una conversación) donde, de verdad, confieso que disfruto mucho de leer a nuestro Papa Francisco; No sé si es, porque está "escrito en argentino" pero lo que él narra me atrapó y no paré hasta terminarlo (y estaba cansada y los ojos no me daban más) porque no sólo es un libro dirigido a los jóvenes, los grandes rechazados, junto con los ancianos, sino para nosotros los adultos.
El libro toca variados como la libertad, los padres, la fe, la vocación.
Sin duda lo recomiendo para aquellos que desean profundizar en el ámbito espiritual.
Algunas citas:
"la salvación de los viejos es darles a los jóvenes la memoria, y esto convierte a los viejos en unos auténticos soñadores de futuro; mientras que la salvación de los jóvenes es tomar estas enseñanzas, estos sueños, y seguir en la profecía. Para que nuestros jóvenes tengan visiones, sean ellos mismos soñadores y puedan afrontar con audacia y valentía los tiempos futuros, hace falta que escuchen los sueños proféticos de sus antepasados."
"Todo esto tiene relación con lo que yo llamo la revolución de la ternura, pues en el acercamiento de un joven a un anciano hay una necesidad de ternura, y hace falta ternura si un anciano quiere acercarse a un joven. El mensaje debe partir de los unos y de los otros, no hay jerarquías, ambos deben buscarse."
"No somos nada sin la cabeza y sin el corazón, no somos nada si nos movemos presa de los instintos y sin la razón. La razón y el corazón nos acercan los unos a los otros de una manera real; y nos acercan a Dios para que podamos pensar en Dios y podamos decidir ir a buscarlo. Con la razón y el corazón podemos también entender quién está mal, identificarnos con él, convertirnos en portadores del bien y del altruismo."
"Los padres del desierto comparaban la vanidad con una cebolla porque —decían— cuesta llegar a su centro: se sigue deshojando, pero queda siempre algo; cuando menos, queda el olor. La vanidad es una burbuja de jabón, y ser vanidoso significa falsear la propia vida."
"Tener miedo de la muerte significa tener miedo de la aniquilación total: tan solo quien tiene fe en el más allá es capaz de tener confianza. Cuando hablo de la muerte con ateos, o con quienes se consideran como tales, excavando un poco más a fondo en su ateísmo descubro que en muchos de ellos es recurrente que se refieran al más allá, a una energía; algunos la llaman así, que es algo en lo que coincidimos todos."
October 26, 2018
"Htio bih vidjeti mlade ambiciozne, hrabre, antikonformiste i nježne revolucionare"
May 31, 2025
This is more about five stars for the pope and his words. Reading this book feels more like having a conversation with him due to the q&a format. I chose it as my nonfiction read of the month following his death. He phrases things so eloquently yet also simply. Truly a man of the people. He gives me hope for the Catholic Church. I hope Leo can do the same.
January 5, 2019
Pope Francis is so wise and has such a profound way of putting things. The only reason this isn't five stars is because I'm not Catholic, so there were a few points that don't align with my theology, but so much of it was really great.
January 17, 2019
I really loved the advice and overall message of this book. The biggest takeaways I had were to treat everyone with kindness, find your passion, and always be willing to listen to people with different opinions and beliefs in order to find understanding and harmony with those around you. Very inspiring and leaves you motivated to take action to be a better person in general. Whether you are religious or not, I think everyone who reads this book will come away with a good message to take with them in their daily lives.
December 1, 2019
“Do not be afraid of the differences of others or your weaknesses; life is one of a kind and unique for what it is; God awaits us every morning when we wake up to once again give us this gift. Let us cherish it with love, kindness, and spontaneity.”
Read
November 15, 2018There is a substantial difference between a book and a transcribed interview. Worth giving a try, but I'm not sure I can give it a rating.
August 21, 2020
More for young people
August 14, 2025
A nice little book.
October 23, 2021
Veľmi hlboké myšlienky a názory. Aktuálne ale aj nadčasové, vierou nezaujaté ale otvorené pre všetkých ľudí. V podstate veľmi jednoduché životné múdro, ktoré v dnešnej dobe plnej ruchu tak tažko nájsť a uvedomiť si. Papa Francesca mám rád a vrelo odporúčam.
October 29, 2018
A very light read but an insightful and important one as well. I forced myself to take time with this book although I knew I could have read it within an hour...I stretched it out to 2 days. I am so glad I did.
Food for thought, Chicken Soup for the Soul, inspirational and motivating...I was touched on so many levels. Speaking on youth and elderly. What Pope Francis views as young and what he views as old...so insightful. It forced me, in such a pleasant, way to view these two times in our lives with a whole different uplifting prospective. It also touches on the fact that we have to see today's youth as more than just a troubled generation. They have a responsibility and as the world evolves and grows that responsibility is even more imperative. Aaaaah, and the quotes. I love that Pope Francis gave quotes not just from the bible but from many prolific people of the time past and the time now. It shows just how intelligent a man he is. At least that's my opinion. I know that the Pope and the Catholic faith is taking such a backlash right now due to all the severe criminals accusations of child abuse coming to light. I know this. I am appalled. But I can also step aside as a victim of similar circumstances and listen to what Pope Francis speaks on. I can come to an understanding that we are a world in great need of hope and of action.
Written in the style of an interview....a Q&A. That interviewer being Thomas Leoncini, a journalist and writer engaged in the study of Psychological and social models and co-author of Born Liquid. You can read the respect he has for his interviewee...the Pope...but I love that he is not afraid to ask the questions that needed to be asked....to push for sincere and important topics. Anne Milano Appel, the translator of this wonderful little book put it all together in a way that flowed nicely.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to the great peeps at goodreads, Random House and to the authors for my free copy of this book received via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book with honesty and voluntarily.
Food for thought, Chicken Soup for the Soul, inspirational and motivating...I was touched on so many levels. Speaking on youth and elderly. What Pope Francis views as young and what he views as old...so insightful. It forced me, in such a pleasant, way to view these two times in our lives with a whole different uplifting prospective. It also touches on the fact that we have to see today's youth as more than just a troubled generation. They have a responsibility and as the world evolves and grows that responsibility is even more imperative. Aaaaah, and the quotes. I love that Pope Francis gave quotes not just from the bible but from many prolific people of the time past and the time now. It shows just how intelligent a man he is. At least that's my opinion. I know that the Pope and the Catholic faith is taking such a backlash right now due to all the severe criminals accusations of child abuse coming to light. I know this. I am appalled. But I can also step aside as a victim of similar circumstances and listen to what Pope Francis speaks on. I can come to an understanding that we are a world in great need of hope and of action.
Written in the style of an interview....a Q&A. That interviewer being Thomas Leoncini, a journalist and writer engaged in the study of Psychological and social models and co-author of Born Liquid. You can read the respect he has for his interviewee...the Pope...but I love that he is not afraid to ask the questions that needed to be asked....to push for sincere and important topics. Anne Milano Appel, the translator of this wonderful little book put it all together in a way that flowed nicely.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to the great peeps at goodreads, Random House and to the authors for my free copy of this book received via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book with honesty and voluntarily.
January 17, 2022
"No existen praxis universales para actuar bien, sino que existen muchas interpretaciones personales y eficaces de los testimonios del bien".
No sé por qué razón frene mi lectura de este libro. Quizá en el momento en que lo empecé no estaba preparada para digerirlo.
Pero sin duda este libro es un 10/10🤍💕, y además tiene menos de 100 páginas lo que lo hace un libro fácil y rápido de leer.
El Papa Francisco nos invita a los jóvenes a ser protagonistas del cambio que se requiere en el mundo, no sólo desde nuestras trincheras (que si bien es cierto que desde ahí se empieza) sino como él aconseja: 《ensuciandose los pies》por las calles, haciéndonos parte de las soluciones y escuchando a quienes necesitan ser escuchados.
Evitando la rigidez de corazón y siendo humildes para atender las opiniones de aquellos quienes difieren de las nuestras, sin dejar de lado la bondad al momento de corregir.
Nos habla de problemas globales e intrapersonales a los que los jóvenes se enfrentan día a día, nos invita a darles un buen uso a las herramientas digitales sin permitir que estas nos usen a nosotros, nos llama "los profetas más importantes del mundo", ya que no hay mayor influencia que la que un joven puede tener hacia otro joven.
También hace énfasis en la importancia que tiene que los jóvenes acudamos a los ancianos quienes tienen el deber de poner su experiencia a disposición de los jóvenes, con altruismo.
Nos pide dejar de caer en la cultura del 《consume consumo》dejando de pensar que valemos por lo que acumulamos y producimos.
También nos exhorta a ser auténticos sin tener miedo del que dirán.
Un libro precioso y altamente recomendado.💕
"¿Eres joven? Puedes hablar, estamos aquí para escucharte".🤍🤍🤍
No sé por qué razón frene mi lectura de este libro. Quizá en el momento en que lo empecé no estaba preparada para digerirlo.
Pero sin duda este libro es un 10/10🤍💕, y además tiene menos de 100 páginas lo que lo hace un libro fácil y rápido de leer.
El Papa Francisco nos invita a los jóvenes a ser protagonistas del cambio que se requiere en el mundo, no sólo desde nuestras trincheras (que si bien es cierto que desde ahí se empieza) sino como él aconseja: 《ensuciandose los pies》por las calles, haciéndonos parte de las soluciones y escuchando a quienes necesitan ser escuchados.
Evitando la rigidez de corazón y siendo humildes para atender las opiniones de aquellos quienes difieren de las nuestras, sin dejar de lado la bondad al momento de corregir.
Nos habla de problemas globales e intrapersonales a los que los jóvenes se enfrentan día a día, nos invita a darles un buen uso a las herramientas digitales sin permitir que estas nos usen a nosotros, nos llama "los profetas más importantes del mundo", ya que no hay mayor influencia que la que un joven puede tener hacia otro joven.
También hace énfasis en la importancia que tiene que los jóvenes acudamos a los ancianos quienes tienen el deber de poner su experiencia a disposición de los jóvenes, con altruismo.
Nos pide dejar de caer en la cultura del 《consume consumo》dejando de pensar que valemos por lo que acumulamos y producimos.
También nos exhorta a ser auténticos sin tener miedo del que dirán.
Un libro precioso y altamente recomendado.💕
"¿Eres joven? Puedes hablar, estamos aquí para escucharte".🤍🤍🤍
May 19, 2019
An incredible, very articulate novel in which required the use of a thesaurus on ten plus occasions.
A very powerful spiritual message that leaves me humbled and encouraged in my personal journey forward not only to to accumulate possessions, yet to accumulate the inner rapture that comes from empowering others.
(Sucess is not portrayed by what which you have acquired, but by that which in which you have imparted upon others)
Looking forward to reading additional literary offerings by Pope Francis, and encourage others to do the same. I will now read a additional publishing once a week as I see there are several offerings available, we are so blessed 😇.
What a truly magical time in which we live to have the opportunity to be both inspired spiritually & guided through this time of singularity & distinctive existence by one of such obvious intelligence.
I thank and owe everything I have to God.
A very powerful spiritual message that leaves me humbled and encouraged in my personal journey forward not only to to accumulate possessions, yet to accumulate the inner rapture that comes from empowering others.
(Sucess is not portrayed by what which you have acquired, but by that which in which you have imparted upon others)
Looking forward to reading additional literary offerings by Pope Francis, and encourage others to do the same. I will now read a additional publishing once a week as I see there are several offerings available, we are so blessed 😇.
What a truly magical time in which we live to have the opportunity to be both inspired spiritually & guided through this time of singularity & distinctive existence by one of such obvious intelligence.
I thank and owe everything I have to God.
August 8, 2018
Difícil não se encantar com as muitas passagens inspiradoras desse diálogo de Francisco com seu interlocutor. Esse livro-entrevista revela um Papa diferente. Pela sabedoria, pelas escolhas intelectuais, mas acima de tudo pela humanização da Fé, tornando a mensagem do cristianismo realmente universal. Sem fugir das perguntas, dos exemplos pessoais e de uma análise realista da sociedade em que vivemos, Seu Chico acredita que esperança no futuro está no encontro entre jovens e velhos. Na relação entre o entusiasmo original e liberdade adquirida pelas experiências vividas.
August 6, 2019
It's been a few days since I've finished God is Young. Remembering back to it, one main take-away is that Francis advocates relationships between the young and old as one way to begin to address the world's problems. He may have something here.
Other than this, he seems like a wise old man who talks about problems that I have trouble relating to. I'm not sure if this is due to my Faith, age, country, disposition, culture, or what.
Other than this, he seems like a wise old man who talks about problems that I have trouble relating to. I'm not sure if this is due to my Faith, age, country, disposition, culture, or what.
January 2, 2019
“God Is Young” is in the nature of an interview of Pope Francis in which author Thomas Leoncini posed questions on a variety of topics, with an emphasis on youth, and Pope Francis responds. It reminds me of “The Pope Speaks” a similar exchange with Pope Paul VI (see my review https://www.amazon.com/Pope-Speaks-Di...). It chronicles a wide-ranging discussion touching on matters of morals, theology, His Holiness’ life memories and matters of taste and preference as one would discuss with a friend. It is divided into three sections: Young Prophets and Old Dreamers in which Pope Francis shares his thoughts on the young and old and how they can enrich each other’s lives; In This World focusing on the Christian response to the environment, loneness, drugs and other issues in dealing with the lures and problems of the world; Teaching is Learning dealing with issues of teaching, the transmission of information and values and the future of young people and values.
Though one of those conservative Catholics who is suspicious of Pope Francis I approached this book with an open mind. I enjoyed learning about his life story including his lung surgery while a seminarian, his realization of his vocation and his love of opera. His concern that some are risking making cosmetic and plastic surgery necessities strikes me as common sense.
I found one story to be very poignant. He tells of a housekeeper who helped his mother. After losing track of her for twenty years she came to see him when he was rector at Collegio Massimo but he was too busy and told his secretary to tell her that he was away, a move he regretted until they were reunited when he was a bishop. We should all be aware of our fleeting opportunities to help or hurt.
Perhaps most touching to me is his fear that youth are growing up in an unrooted society. “A society is rooted if it is aware of belong to a history and to other people, in the noblest sense of the word. It is uprooted, the other hand, if the young grow up in families without a history, without a memory, and therefore without roots.” Echoes perhaps of Ronald Reagan’s “I am warning of an eradication of that - of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit.” Both Pope and President call to mind the need to share our memories, history and traditions.
This tome is a quick, easy read. Whether you are a Francis fan or one looking for a conversation in which to test your own values and beliefs, “God Is Young” is an enlightening resource.
Though one of those conservative Catholics who is suspicious of Pope Francis I approached this book with an open mind. I enjoyed learning about his life story including his lung surgery while a seminarian, his realization of his vocation and his love of opera. His concern that some are risking making cosmetic and plastic surgery necessities strikes me as common sense.
I found one story to be very poignant. He tells of a housekeeper who helped his mother. After losing track of her for twenty years she came to see him when he was rector at Collegio Massimo but he was too busy and told his secretary to tell her that he was away, a move he regretted until they were reunited when he was a bishop. We should all be aware of our fleeting opportunities to help or hurt.
Perhaps most touching to me is his fear that youth are growing up in an unrooted society. “A society is rooted if it is aware of belong to a history and to other people, in the noblest sense of the word. It is uprooted, the other hand, if the young grow up in families without a history, without a memory, and therefore without roots.” Echoes perhaps of Ronald Reagan’s “I am warning of an eradication of that - of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit.” Both Pope and President call to mind the need to share our memories, history and traditions.
This tome is a quick, easy read. Whether you are a Francis fan or one looking for a conversation in which to test your own values and beliefs, “God Is Young” is an enlightening resource.
December 9, 2023
"But he who has no courage is called apocado: one says apocado (Spanish), when talking about someone who, out of fear of stumbling, has never dared to take an extra step in life." (translated from German to English)
I am not religious, but I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I don't believe in God. Pope Francis has a compelling way of conveying his ideas.
Despite attempting to strike a middle ground that doesn't alienate the youth or the elderly, he writes extensively about hope. He explores the concept of hope in different life situations..
Two powerful ideas from Pope Francis are that all teachers are also learners, and the sense of humor is a crucial life skill. He emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between adults and the young, with the belief that we complete each other. His motto for teachers, "Is my heart open enough to give every surprise a warm welcome?" resonates deeply.
Furthermore, the book provides valuable insights into Pope Francis's sense of humor, offering a nuanced view of his personality and in his vita in Argentina. The depth of background information about Pope Francis adds richness to the narrative, making it a captivating and enlightening read also for people like me who doesn't share his religious beliefs.
I am not religious, but I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I don't believe in God. Pope Francis has a compelling way of conveying his ideas.
Despite attempting to strike a middle ground that doesn't alienate the youth or the elderly, he writes extensively about hope. He explores the concept of hope in different life situations..
Two powerful ideas from Pope Francis are that all teachers are also learners, and the sense of humor is a crucial life skill. He emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between adults and the young, with the belief that we complete each other. His motto for teachers, "Is my heart open enough to give every surprise a warm welcome?" resonates deeply.
Furthermore, the book provides valuable insights into Pope Francis's sense of humor, offering a nuanced view of his personality and in his vita in Argentina. The depth of background information about Pope Francis adds richness to the narrative, making it a captivating and enlightening read also for people like me who doesn't share his religious beliefs.
October 28, 2018
Small book with huge ideas and inspiration. The format is that of an interview. I was engrossed in reading most of the responses to the questions posed to Pope Francis that I read it in two sittings (I would have scarfed it down in one if I'd had time).
I felt I could hear the Pope's words in my head as I read. I think he is a remarkable and admirable man. I am a member of a different faith but I believe his words are not confined to one particular religious group but to people of all nations and faiths as well as those who may not subscribe to the belief in God.
Although I did read it quickly, I think it might be appreciated more if read more like a daily meditation so that you can concentrate on one question and answer at a time.
I would like to thank Random House through a Goodreads giveaways for the free copy in return for an unbiased review.
I felt I could hear the Pope's words in my head as I read. I think he is a remarkable and admirable man. I am a member of a different faith but I believe his words are not confined to one particular religious group but to people of all nations and faiths as well as those who may not subscribe to the belief in God.
Although I did read it quickly, I think it might be appreciated more if read more like a daily meditation so that you can concentrate on one question and answer at a time.
I would like to thank Random House through a Goodreads giveaways for the free copy in return for an unbiased review.
November 12, 2018
Even if you aren't a catholic or a christian or religious at all, I think Pope Francis makes a lot of good points in this book. I've read a few of his other books, but all of them focused too much on the religious aspects of happiness and joy (which is pretty much the man's job, so I won't fault him that). This book was focused more on the interactions between humans and what we can do to impact the lives of our fellow people. Discussing primarily youth and the struggles of young people, I believe this book was filled with a bunch of good insights into the current state of our throwaway culture and virtual lives and their effects on relationships and motivation for young people. Yes, there are many biblical references, but I still got a lot out of the book while skirting those a bit.
March 30, 2018
Magnifíca leitura sobre aquilo que a Igreja espera dos jovens e dos temas mais polémicos e actuais da nossa sociedade.
Uma conversa fácil e interessante entre o Papa Francisco e um jovem jornalista, Thomas Leoncini.
Mais uma vez vemos no Papa Francisco um esperança para todos os jovens! A linguagem utilizada é bastante acessível e próxima dos jovens.
Os temas abordados vão desde as questões ambientais, o desemprego, as questões geracionais, as questões da fé e das vocações, até a temas mais profundos, tais como: a prisão, a depressão, as novas tecnologias, etc.
Uma excelente leitura para todos (crentes e não crentes) sobre como um jovem pode viver e sobreviver no mundo de hoje!
Uma conversa fácil e interessante entre o Papa Francisco e um jovem jornalista, Thomas Leoncini.
Mais uma vez vemos no Papa Francisco um esperança para todos os jovens! A linguagem utilizada é bastante acessível e próxima dos jovens.
Os temas abordados vão desde as questões ambientais, o desemprego, as questões geracionais, as questões da fé e das vocações, até a temas mais profundos, tais como: a prisão, a depressão, as novas tecnologias, etc.
Uma excelente leitura para todos (crentes e não crentes) sobre como um jovem pode viver e sobreviver no mundo de hoje!
January 26, 2019
This is a brief text compiling a series of interviews with Pope Francis by the journalist and writer Thomas Leoncini, who recently also published a book of conversations with the sociologist Zygmunt Bauman.
The main discussion thread revolves around the difficult situation of young people today, who seem to be cast away by a society that can’t offer a narrative of purpose and commitment. However, it easily transcends into a larger discussion of the fallouts of that society that discards them, an “uprooted” society driven by a throwaway culture, enthralled by the cult of the ephemeral.
A healthy exercise of social criticism from a well-read and intelligent man, who happens to be the Pope.
The main discussion thread revolves around the difficult situation of young people today, who seem to be cast away by a society that can’t offer a narrative of purpose and commitment. However, it easily transcends into a larger discussion of the fallouts of that society that discards them, an “uprooted” society driven by a throwaway culture, enthralled by the cult of the ephemeral.
A healthy exercise of social criticism from a well-read and intelligent man, who happens to be the Pope.
August 10, 2020
This is a great twofer - you get Pope Francis' view on the Church as well as the youth. With a teen under my roof, plus two more Gen Z'ers, I admire how understanding HH is of the youth with all its potential and energy, but not in a pollyanna wishful kind of way though. If you're looking for a book that demonstrates how relevant God is to today's youth, this short book will definitely lend a hand. As an aging Gen X'er myself, I'm too often prejudiced against today's youth's openness to God, and so I'm glad I found this book!
February 9, 2024
An sich ist das Buch erfrischend, wenn man nach Menschlichkeit in der Mystik der katholischen Kirche und im Amt des Papstes sucht. Allerdings merkt man nach 50 Seiten, dass sich der Papst auch hinter seiner eigenen Autorität und den kirchlichen intellektuellen Rahmen versteckt. Er gibt Antworten auf weltliche Fragen als Mensch, als argentinischer Junge. Auf geistliche Fragen hingegen antwortet er so, dass die menschliche Klarheit verschwindet und man sich teilweise wie ein Bauer in der Kirche fühlt, bevor Luther die Macht der lateinischen Sprache brach.
December 7, 2025
Creo que es un lindo libro, sin embargo creo que muchas veces la conversación se salió del punto central.
También sentí que muchas de las preguntas no daban para ser respuestas largas o abiertas sino que propiciaba que fueran cerradas.
Fue interesante leer la perspectiva del papa en temas sociales y políticos pero, nuevamente las preguntas no dejaban que se pudiera profundizar y varias veces parecía que la entrevistadora daba las respuestas de sus propias preguntas.
Me hubiera gustado que se abordara bien y profundo todo lo que implicaba el título del libro y no solo unas cuantas preguntas.
También sentí que muchas de las preguntas no daban para ser respuestas largas o abiertas sino que propiciaba que fueran cerradas.
Fue interesante leer la perspectiva del papa en temas sociales y políticos pero, nuevamente las preguntas no dejaban que se pudiera profundizar y varias veces parecía que la entrevistadora daba las respuestas de sus propias preguntas.
Me hubiera gustado que se abordara bien y profundo todo lo que implicaba el título del libro y no solo unas cuantas preguntas.
March 15, 2019
Not so much a book as it is an interview put into book form. Still some interesting ideas, many of which are quite insightful. Some things seem to be oddly focused on to me, such as the focus on plastic surgery, but still a good read. Could easily be read through in a few hours. A pretty light and easy read to get an idea on where the pope stands on some issues, which never hurts since he is a source of major spiritual leadership for many in the world.
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