Pope Francis: Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio

This book begins with the arrival of Bergoglio’s family in Buenos Aires in 1929, travelling from Italy, explores his childhood as one of a family of five, his first job as a factory cleaner and the bout of pneumonia which forced him to reassess his life completely. Then from his early days as a seminarian through his experience as a teacher of psychology and literature, through to his consecration as a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, Bergoglio shares his experiences of faith and life.
The difficult subjects are met head on, from the declining numbers of priests to celibacy and even the sex abuse scandals that have rocked the church – and through it all, Bergoglio’s humble approach and desire to live an austere and faithful life shine through.
This is a Pope who will not allow himself to be fitted to a traditional mould – and the world waits with bated breath to see what his time as leader of the world’s largest church will bring.