by Andrea Tornielli
In the words, the ideas, and the personal recollections of Pope
Francis--including material up to the final hours before his election--the
most highly regarded Vatican observer on the international scene reveals the
personality of this man of God, gentle and humble. The son of Italian
immigrants to Argentina, he made radically following Christ and the way of
non-violence the pillars of his pastoral ministry in a country, continually
tormented by social and economic inequities.
This complete biography offers the keys to understanding the man who was a
surprise choice, even a kind of revolutionary choice, for pope. It is the
story of the humble pastor of one of the world's largest archdioceses; a
cardinal who takes the bus, talks with common folk, and lives simply. It is
the story of why the cardinal electors of the Catholic Church set aside
political and diplomatic calculations to elect a pope to lead the renewal
and purification of the worldwide Church of our time.