The Courage to Be Happy: The Pope Speaks to the Youth of the World

by Pope Francis, Robert Ellsberg (Editor)

Nowhere does Pope Francis's exuberance and outgoing personality seem to come more alive than in the company of young people. That vitality, tenderness, and love is on display in this comprehensive collection of his talks with young people around the world. Constantly he exhorts his "dear young people" to "have a deep spirit," "to dream of great things," to have "the courage to be happy." His encouragement also comes with a "Go against the current; and this means making noise. Go ahead, but with the values of beauty, goodness, and truth."Included here are his talks with young people in Rome and in his travels throughout the world, including World Youth Day gatherings in Rio and Krakow, his annual Youth Day messages, and preparations for the upcoming Synod on Youth. But there are also spontaneous encounters and intimate conversations, in which he shares personal reflections on prayer and faith. Here is the essential Pope Francis -- rooted in the Gospel, looking to the future with hope and love.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2018

About the author

Pope 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.

Reviews

[Roxann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pope Francis has so many beautiful things to say! This book made me want to search for more of his speeches and play them on repeat every day. ♥️