Pope Francis in His Own Words

Julie Schwietert Collazo, Lisa Rogak

• Publisher: New World Library
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781608682492
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations

The moment the identity of the newly elected 266th pontiff was revealed, it was clear to the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, and to the watching world, that this pope was different in fascinating and exciting ways — the first from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.When Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, spoke from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he greeted his audience colloquially: "Brothers and sisters, good evening." He told a joke, commenting that his fellow cardinals had "gone to the ends of the earth" to find him. Then, downplaying his power and position, he proceeded not to bless the crowd but to ask them for their blessing: "I ask a favor of you, " he said, bowing humbly. "Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me."Francis has repeatedly foregone the fancy dress, lavish accommodations, and other luxuries of his position, emphasizing pastoral work with the sick and the poor and always seeking to empower the underdog (including his favorite soccer team in Buenos Aires — San Lorenzo). This revealing collection of his own words, gathered from sermons, interviews, and the Pope's books, prompts understanding and insight into his way of being and believing — and inspires goodwill, love, and hope.

On Age and Aging

Old age, they say, is the seat of wisdom. The old ones have the wisdom that they have earned from walking through life, like old Simeon and Anna at the temple, whose wisdom allowed them to recognize Jesus. Let us give with wisdom to the youth: like good wine that improves with age, let us give the youth the wisdom of our lives.

Address to Cardinals, 15 March 2013

The old person is the transmitter of history, he who brings us memories, the memory of our people, of our country, of our family, culture, and religion … .He has lived a long time, and even if he’s done so as a fool, he deserves serious consideration.

Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra, 2010

The bitterness of the old person is worse than any other because it is without return.

Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra, 2010

On Argentina

Is it true that Argentinians don’t want to dialogue? I wouldn’t put it that way. Rather, I think we’ve become victims of attitudes that don’t permit us to dialogue: arrogance, the inability to listen, an exasperation with language … and so many others.

Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra, 2010

Our painful political history has all too often courted silence. The use of euphemisms has often anesthetized us.

Homily, Easter 2008

Argentina has arrived at a moment of critical decision making … the decision to continue as a country, to learn from its painful experiences of the past and initiate a new path, or to drown in misery, chaos, the loss of values, and decomposition as a society.

Annual Message to Educational Communities, Easter 2002

I dare to say it still: we Argentinians have a long history of mutual intolerance.

Homily, Easter 2005

We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most, yet reduced misery the least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.

Address, CELAM conference, 21 May 2007

On Argentina’s Dirty War

In the Church, there were Christians from [all] camps: Christians who died as guerrillas, Christians who helped save people, and Christian oppressors who believed they were saving the homeland.

Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra, 2010

We believe that the steps taken by the justice system in clarifying these events must serve to renew the efforts of all citizens toward reconcili...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• On Age and Aging
• Timeline of Pope Francis’s Life
• Citations
• About the Editors