Pope Francis: Conversations With Jorge Bergoglio

Description

Elected in one of the shortest conclaves in history, the former Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina reveals, in a series of extensive interviews conducted over the course of two years, the very image of a humble priest, inspired teacher, and wise and adroit cardinal. Speaking spontaneously and intimately, Archbishop Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, covers topics as wide-ranging as his childhood, family life, and first job to discovering his calling and his early days in the seminary. The former archbishop was a teacher of psychology and literature until John Paul II consecrated him as a cardinal. He befriended writers like Jorge Luis Borges and cites Homer, Cervantes, and German and Italian poets with ease and offers genuinely interesting and nuanced thoughts about teaching. A learned and introspective man, he doesn't avoid the uncomfortable subjects: topics covered include the declining numbers of priests and nuns; celibacy; the sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the church; and his opinions about and experience with the military dictatorship of his own crisis riddled country. It also discusses the incredible role he played in the last conclave. In each stage of his life, we witness a man more interested in substance than style, one whose actions and words reflect his deeply-rooted humility. The book concludes with the Pope's own writings and reflections, full of wisdom and inspiration.

Author description

Sergio Rubin was born in Santa Fe, Argentina. He is an award-winning author, journalist, and is currently chief of religious news for the Clar?n newspaper as well as editor of the supplement Valores Religiosos (Religious Values). He has interviewed major figures such as Mother Teresa and covered over a dozen of John Paul II's trips, his funeral, and the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Francesca Ambrogetti was born in Rome. She is a journalist and social psychologist, and currently teaches journalism. In 1982 she headed the Association for Foreign Press in Argentina and from 2000 to 2003, the Association of Foreign Correspondents. She collaborates with international media such as Vatican Radio.