Italian, english, español

That Pope Francis to discover narrated by Andrea Tornielli

A key element without which the realistic reading of a personality and a complex figure like that of man Jorge Mario Bergoglio would not be easy to read: Francesco is the first Roman Pontiff ordered priest after the Second Vatican Council and for this, Unlike its four predecessors, He does not feel the need to defend or justify this last great Assize of the Church.

— Books and reviews —

.

PDF print format article – PDF article print format – PDF Printed size article

 

.

With his latest literary work Francesco. The Pope of Mercy (Piemme, 2025), Andrea Tornielli offers readers a work that is worth the simple biography, going beyond certain exaltations of more or less hagiographic circumstances, often dedicated to the figures of the supreme popes.

Nella sua narrativa, misurata e precisa the author, che ha conosciuto e frequentato Jorge Mario Bergoglio anni prima della sua elezione al sacro soglio, offre un racconto diretto molto interessante, senza cimentarsi in storie romanzate mirate a stuzzicare l’emotività del pubblico. Una cronaca sobria, com’è nello stile di questo Autore, capace a far emergere la dimensione più autentica e umana del Romano Pontefice scomparso da pochi mesi.

Uno tra gli elementi più interessanti è la ricostruzione del tempo intercorso dall’atto di rinuncia di Benedetto XVI al successivo conclave. L’Autore introduce il lettore nell’atmosfera che aleggiava tra i cardinali, dando al libro anche un valore storico, because it documents with precision and rigor the days preceding the election of Francesco, a meticulous work already done in the past with its rich historical biographies on the summary popes of the twentieth century. Following this already consolidated style, in his Francesco. The Pope of Mercy It offers a linear story of facts, choices, Words and gestures.

Andrea Tornielli also highlights an element Key without which the realistic reading of a personality and a complex figure like that of man Jorge Mario Bergoglio would not be easy to read: Francesco is the first Roman Pontiff ordered priest after the Second Vatican Council and for this, Unlike its four predecessors, He does not feel the need to defend or justify this last great Assize of the Church; For him it is an element that constitutes an integral part of ecclesial living, that as such it should be lived and that's it. This aspect deeply marks its pontificate: The Council is no longer something to explain, If necessary, even to be justified, come in più occasioni ebbe a fare Benedetto XVI, ma una realtà assunta e vissuta con naturalezza.

L’attenzione è anche posta su vari dettagli della vita del Cardinale Jorge Mario Bergoglio, poi del Sommo Pontefice Francesco, prestando attenzione ai ricordi legati a date di particolari ricorrenze, a situazioni familiari o anche a semplici frasi espresse in incontri precedenti, oppure nel mettere i propri interlocutori a loro agio, creando un clima di tipo familiare.

Le descrizioni restano fedeli alla realtà dei fatti, senza mai trascendere in quegli artifizi narrativi svenevoli oggi tanto in voga nella comunicazione, quando si decide di esaltare qualità vere o presunte del “caro estinto”. But precisely in this decisive and precise news the true strength of the Pope is glimpsed in relief by the author's acumen: the ability to get close to everyone, in particular to those who suffer or are found in a time of difficulty.

Some personal episodes are also narrated, such as the disease and death of the author's parents and the constant proximity and interest of Pope Francis, sign of a relationship that exceeds roles, manifesting and teaching that, When you want to be close to someone, It doesn't matter who you are and what position you hold, because if you want you can always find time for a simple gesture, like a phone call or a small text message.

Many other details follow one another characterizing the personality of the man Jorge Mario Bergoglio and the Supreme Pontiff Francesco: From criticism to contemporary culture based on values ​​contrary to life, already reported previously by the highest Pontiff John Paul II and Benedict XVI as "Culture of Death", To follow with the calls of Francesco to the concept of "scrap culture", The dramas of the elderly abandoned in a sort of silent euthanasia, The pain for abortions that "break the bond with the future", the "theory" of gender contrary to the natural data or exasperated ecology that sees man as a problem or viruses to be eliminated. For Pope Francis, on the contrary, The man remains the administrator and custodian of the creation, chiamato a trasformare ciò che riceve in cultura viva.

Il tema della pace occupa poi un posto centrale. Per Francesco non basta disarmare gli arsenali perché «occorre disarmare prima le menti», ossia le coscienze dalla cultura della guerra che trasforma le persone in numeri e strumenti di potere. L’unico antidoto è la misericordia, capace di restituire dignità all’uomo e senso al suo futuro.

Non mancano spunti polemici riportati senza filtri, come la celebre battuta del Papa a chi gli chiedeva sulle donne cardinali: «Chi lo vuole soffre un po’ di clericalismo». Allo stesso modo Francesco non si risparmia nel criticare l’ideologia marxista, definendola «sbagliata», anche se durante il suo pontificato è stato bollato ripetutamente come filomarxista. Il Santo Padre non mancò di replicare che non si può fare di tutta l’erba un fascio, avendo conosciute persone buone che erano marxiste, ma non mancando di precisare quanto sbagliata fosse l’ideologia, seguendo a questo modo il pensiero e le linee pastorali dei suoi predecessori Pio XII e Giovanni XXIII.

Più volte il libro restituisce l’immagine di un Papa-pastore che non lascia nulla di intentato verso chi si sente smarrito, anche insegnando che solo il voler cercare è già un passo in avanti. Le testimonianze dei viaggi e degli incontri dimostrano questa convinzione: Papa Francesco sempre si affida con fiducia e si fida degli altri. Particolarmente toccanti le pagine che raccontano gli incontri con i deboli, i feriti o i malati. Il Santo Padre ha parlato sempre col cuore, in molte occasioni anche come conseguenza, soprattutto per ringraziare chi lo ha aspettato per ore per ascoltarlo e vederlo, ossia per chi lo ha «accolto nella sua casa», non mancando di precisare più volte di sentirsi lui stesso arricchito dall’esperienza e dalla speranza da lui ricevuta come dono di grazia in questi incontri.

Nelle riflessioni sulla sofferenza dei bambini, non offre risposte teoriche: il Papa piange, condivide il dolore, mostrando una compassione cristiana che va oltre ogni discorso, seguendo l’immagine di un Cristo che ha sofferto e pianto sulla Croce in silenzio, o esprimendo solo poche parole, Also because you cannot always have an answer for everything, many elements, also several dramas of human suffering, like life and death, they remain wrapped in part in the mystery.

Andrea Tornielli's work It may affect not only scholars of ecclesial issues, But anyone who wants to understand the meaning of a complex pontificate, made not very complicated by the event that preceded him, The renunciation of Benedict XVI, In addition to the delicate world geopolitical structure characterized by outbreaks of dangerous wars open everywhere. The author thus returns the portrait of a man who has chosen to be close to people, with a pastoral and human style at times also appeared unusual, For many even extravagant, ma che ha segnato la storia contemporanea della Chiesa, generando apprezzamento in molti e smarrimento in altri. Se però ci pensiamo bene questa è la storia di tutti i Pontefici, perlomeno di quelli che, più che dagli schemi, uscivano da quella quieta mediocrità che tende ad accontentare tutti per non scontentare nessuno. Francesco ne ha sicuramente scontentati molti e, perhaps, solo questo è sufficiente a non fare di lui un tranquillo mediocre, ma una figura molto complessa e complicata nella sua apparente semplicità. Il tutto a riprova che l’uomo, every man, rimane per gran parte un mistero, compreso l’uomo Jorge Mario Bergoglio, compreso il Sommo Pontefice Francesco. Poi ci sono quelli che hanno sempre una risposta per tutto, ma questa è altra faccenda, o per meglio dire … beati loro!

 

the Island of Patmos, 4 September 2025

 

______________________________

 

THAT POPE FRANCIS TO BE DISCOVERED, NARRATED BY ANDREA TORNIELLI

A key element without which a realistic reading of a personality and a complex figure like that of Jorge Mario Bergoglio would not be easy: Francis is the first Roman Pontiff ordained a priest after the Second Vatican Council and for this reason, unlike his four predecessors, he does not feel the need to defend or justify this last great assembly of the Church.

— books and reviews—

 

With his latest literary work, Francesco. The Pope of Mercy (Piemme, 2025), Andrea Tornielli offers readers a work that transcends mere biography, going beyond the more or less hagiographical exaltations often dedicated to the figures of the Supreme Pontiffs. In his measured and precise narrative, the Author, who knew and associated with Jorge Mario Bergoglio years before his election to the sacred throne, offers a highly engaging, direct account, without engaging in fictionalized stories aimed at stirring the audience’s emotions. A sober chronicle, typical of this Author’s style, capable of bringing out the most authentic and human dimension of the Roman Pontiff, who passed away only a few months ago.

One of the most interesting elements is the reconstruction of the time between Benedict XVI’s resignation and the subsequent conclave. The Author immerses the reader in the atmosphere that reigned among the cardinals, lending the book historical value by precisely and rigorously documenting the days preceding Francis’s election, a meticulous work already accomplished in his extensive historical biographies of the 20th-century Supreme Pontiffs. Following this well-established style, his “Francis: The Pope of Mercy” offers a linear account of events, choices, words, and gestures.

Andrea Tornielli also highlights a key element without which a realistic reading of a personality and a complex figure like Jorge Mario Bergoglio would be difficult: Francis is the first Roman Pontiff ordained a priest after the Second Vatican Council, and for this reason, unlike his four predecessors, he feels no need to defend or justify the Church’s last great assembly; for him, it is an integral part of ecclesial life, which must be experienced simply as such. This aspect profoundly marked his pontificate: the Council was no longer something to be explained, or even justified if necessary, as Benedict XVI had to do on several occasions, but a reality accepted and experienced naturally.

Attention is also focused on various details of the life of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later the Supreme Pontiff Francis, paying attention to memories linked to particular anniversaries, family situations, or even simple phrases expressed in previous meetings, or to putting the interlocutors at ease, creating a family atmosphere.

The descriptions remain faithful to the facts, never descending into those sentimental narrative devices so in vogue today, when one decides to extol the real or imagined qualities of the “dearly departed”. But it is precisely in this decisive and precise account that one glimpses the Pope’s true strength, highlighted by the author’s acumen: the ability to reach out to everyone, especially those suffering or experiencing difficulty.

Some personal episodes are also recounted, such as the illness and death of the Author’s parents and the constant closeness and concern of Pope Francis, a sign of a relationship that transcends roles, demonstrating and teaching that, when you want to be close to someone, it doesn’t matter who you are or what position you hold, because if you want, you can always find time for a simple gesture, like a phone call or a quick text message.

The pages unfold with many other details characterizing the personalities of Jorge Mario Bergoglio the man and the Supreme Pontiff Francis: from the criticism of contemporary culture based on values ​​contrary to life, previously denounced by the Supreme Pontiffs John Paul II and Benedict XVI as a «culture of death», to Francis’s references to the concept of a «throwaway culture», the plight of the elderly abandoned in a sort of silent euthanasia, the pain of abortions that «break the link with the future», the “theory” of gender contrary to nature, or the exasperated environmentalism that sees humanity as a problem or a virus to be eliminated. For Pope Francis, on the other hand, humanity remains the administrator and guardian of creation, called to transform what we receive into a living culture.

The theme of peace also occupies a central place. For Francis, disarming arsenals is not enough because «we must first disarm the minds» that is, consciences, from the culture of war that transforms people into numbers and instruments of power. The only antidote is mercy, capable of restoring dignity to humanity and meaning to its future.

There is no shortage of unvarnished polemical points, such as the Pope’s famous quip to those who asked him about female cardinals: «Whoever wants one suffers a bit from clericalism». Likewise, Francis is very strict in his criticism of Marxist ideology, calling it «mistaken», even though he was repeatedly branded a Marxist during his pontificate. The Holy Father did not fail to retort that one cannot tar everyone with the same brush, having known good people who were Marxists, but he did not fail to point out just how mistaken the ideology was, thus following the thinking and pastoral guidelines of his predecessors Pius XII and John XXIII.

The book repeatedly portrays a Pope-shepherd who leaves no stone unturned for those who feel lost, even teaching that simply seeking is a step forward. The testimonies of his travels and encounters demonstrate this conviction: Pope Francis always trusts and entrusts himself to others. Particularly moving are the pages that recount his encounters with the weak, the wounded, or the sick. The Holy Father always spoke from the heart, often as a consequence, especially to thank those who waited for hours to hear and see him, that is, those who «welcomed him into their home». He also repeatedly emphasized that he himself felt enriched by the experience and hope he received as a gift of grace in these encounters.

In his reflections on children’s suffering, he offers no theoretical answers: the Pope weeps, shares the pain, demonstrating a Christian compassion that transcends all discourse, following the image of Christ who suffered and wept on the Cross in silence, or expressing only a few words, also because one cannot always have an answer for everything; many elements, even the various tragedies of human suffering, as of life and death, remain partly shrouded in mystery.

Andrea Tornielli’s work may be of interest not only to scholars of ecclesiastical affairs, but also to anyone seeking to understand the meaning of a complex pontificate, made more than a little complicated by the event that preceded it, the act of renunciation of Benedict XVI, as well as the extremely delicate global geopolitical order characterized by dangerous wars raging everywhere. The Author thus paints a portrait of a man who chose to be close to the people, with a pastoral and humane style that at times seemed unusual, even extravagant to many, yet one that has marked the contemporary history of the Church, generating appreciation in many and confusion in others. However, if we think about it carefully, this is the story of all Pontiffs, at least those who, rather than following the norm, emerged from that quiet mediocrity that tends to please everyone so as to displease no one. Francis has certainly displeased many, and perhaps this alone is enough to make him not a quiet mediocre man, but a highly complex and complicated figure in his apparent simplicity. All of this proves that man, every man, remains largely a mystery, including the man Jorge Mario Bergoglio, including the Supreme Pontiff Francis. Then there are those who always have an answer for everything, but that’s another matter, or rather… lucky them!

 

From the Island of Patmos, 4 September, 2025

 

______________________________

 

ESE PAPA FRANCISCO POR DESCUBRIR NARRADO POR ANDREA TORNIELLI

Francisco es el primer Romano Pontífice ordenado sacerdote después del Concilio Vaticano II y por esto; a diferencia de sus cuatro predecesores, no siente la necesidad de defender o justificar la última gran asamblea de la Iglesia. Para él, es un elemento que constituye parte integrante del vivir eclesial, que como tal debe ser vivido. Este aspecto marca profundamente su pontificado: el Concilio ya no es algo que se debe explicar, o incluso, si es necesario justificar como había hecho Benedicto XVI en varias ocasiones, sino una realidad asumida y vivida con naturalidad.

—Libros y reseñas—

 

.

Con su última obra literaria Francisco. El Papa de la misericordia (Piemme, 2025), Andrea Tornielli ofrece a los lectores una obra que trasciende la simple biografía, yendo mucho más allá de ciertas exaltaciones de circunstancia, más o menos hagiográficas, dedicadas a menudo a las figuras de los Sumos Pontífices. Con su narrativa, medida y precisa, el Autor, quien conoció y frecuentó a Jorge Mario Bergoglio años antes de su elección al sagrado solio, ofrece un relato directo muy interesante, sin intentar historias noveladas miradas a tocar la emotividad del público. Una crónica sobria, como es en el estilo de este Autor, capaz de hacer emerger la dimensión más auténtica y humana del Romano Pontífice muerto hace pocos meses.

Uno de entre los elementos más interesantes, es la reconstrucción del tiempo transcurrido desde el acto de renuncia de Benedicto XVI al sucesivo cónclave. El Autor introduce al lector en la atmósfera que existía entre los cardenales, dando al libro con ello, un valor histórico; porque documenta con precisión y rigor los días que precedieron la elección de Francisco. Un trabajo meticuloso ya hecho por el Autor en sus pasadas biografías ricas históricamente de los Sumos Pontífices del siglo XX. Siguiendo este estilo ya consolidado, with Francisco. El Papa de la misericordia ofrece el Autor, un relato lineal de hechos, elecciones, palabras y gestos.

Andrea Tornielli destaca un elemento clave sin el cual no sería fácil la lectura realista de una personalidad y de una figura compleja como es la del hombre Jorge Mario Bergoglio: Francisco es el primer Romano Pontífice ordenado sacerdote después del Concilio Vaticano II y por esto; a diferencia de sus cuatro predecesores, no siente la necesidad de defender o justificar la última gran asamblea de la Iglesia. Para él, es un elemento que constituye parte integrante del vivir eclesial, que como tal debe ser vivido. Este aspecto marca profundamente su pontificado: el Concilio ya no es algo que se debe explicar, o incluso, si es necesario justificar como había hecho Benedicto XVI en varias ocasiones, sino una realidad asumida y vivida con naturalidad.

También se presta atención a varios detalles de la vida del Cardenal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, luego del Sumo Pontífice Francisco: prestando atención a los recuerdos relacionados con fechas de conmemoraciones especiales, situaciones familiares, o incluso a simples frases dichas durante en encuentros anteriores, o al hacer que sus interlocutores se sientan cómodos, creando un ambiente familiar.

Las descripciones se mantienen fieles a la realidad de los hechos, sin caer nunca en esos artificios narrativos sensibleros, tan en boga en la comunicación actual, cuando se decide exaltar las cualidades verdaderas o presuntas del “querido difunto”. Pero es precisamente en esta crónica decisiva y precisa se vislumbra la verdadera fuerza del Papa, resaltada por la perspicacia del Autor: la capacidad de acercarse a todos, en particular a quién sufre o se encuentra en un momento de dificultad.

En la obra también son narrados algunos episodios personales del Autor, como la enfermedad y la muerte de sus padres y la constante cercanía e interés del Papa Francisco. Signo de una relación que superaba los roles, manifestando y enseñando que, cuando se quiere estar cerca de alguien, no importa quién seas ni qué posición revistes, porque si se quiere, siempre se puede encontrar el tiempo para un gesto sencillo, como una llamada telefónica o un pequeño mensaje de texto.

En las páginas del escrito, se suceden muchos otros detalles que caracterizaban de la personalidad del hombre Jorge Mario Bergoglio y del Sumo Pontífice Francisco: desde la crítica a la cultura contemporánea basada en valores contrarios a la vida ya denunciada precedentemente por los Sumos Pontífices Juan Pablo II y Benedicto XVI como «cultura de la muerte»; para continuar con las referencias de Francisco al concepto de «cultura del descarte»: los dramas de ancianos abandonados en una especie de eutanasia silenciosa, el dolor por los abortos que «rompen el vínculo con el futuro»; La «teoría» del género contraria al dato natural; o el ecologismo exasperado que ve al hombre como problema o virus que hay que eliminar. Para el papa Francisco, on the contrary, el hombre sigue siendo administrador y custodio de la creación, llamado a transformar lo que recibe en cultura viva.

El tema de la paz ocupa un lugar central. Para Francisco no basta desarmar los arsenales porque «ocurre desarmar antes las “mentes”», es decir las conciencias de la cultura de la guerra que transforma a las personas en números e instrumentos de poder. El único antídoto para ello es la misericordia, capaz de restituir dignidad al hombre y sentido a su futuro.

No faltan temas polémicos tratados sin filtros, como la célebre ocurrencia del Papa a quien le preguntaba sobre mujeres cardenales: «Quien lo quiere sufre un poco de clericalismo». Del mismo modo, Francisco no se ahorra en criticar la ideología marxista, calificándola de «erronea», aunque durante su pontificado ha sido tildado repetidamente de filo-marxista. El Santo Padre no dejó de replicar que no se puede hacer de toda la hierba un fajo, habiendo conocido personas buenas que eran marxistas, pero sin dejar de precisar cuán equivocada era la ideología. Siguiendo de este modo el pensamiento y las líneas pastorales de sus predecesores Pío XII y Juan XXIII.

En varias ocasiones, el libro restituye la imagen de un Papa-pastor que no deja nada sin intentar por aquellos que se siente perdidos, enseñando incluso qué el simple hecho de querer buscar es ya un paso adelante. Las crónicas de los viajes y de los encuentros demuestran esta convicción: Papa Francisco siempre confía en los demás y se entrega a ellos con confianza. Son particularmente conmovedoras las páginas que narran los encuentros con los débiles, los heridos o los enfermos. El Santo Padre siempre ha hablado con el corazón: en muchas ocasiones como resultado sobretodo en agradecer a quienes lo había esperado por horas para escucharlo y verlo; es decir a quienes lo habían «acogido en su casa», sin dejar de precisar en muchas ocasiones que se sentía así mismo enriquecido por la experiencia y por la esperanza que había recibido como un don de gracia durante estos encuentros.

En las reflexiones sobre el sufrimiento de los niños, no ofrece respuestas teóricas: el Papa llora, comparte el dolor, mostrando una compasión cristiana que va más allá de cualquier discurso, siguiendo la imagen de un Cristo que sufrió y lloró en la Cruz en silencio, o expresando solo unas pocas palabras. Y esto porque no siempre se puede tener una respuesta para todo como son los dramas del sufrimiento humano de la vida y de la muerte que permanecen envueltos en parte por el misterio.

La obra de Andrea Tornielli puede interesar no solo a los estudiosos de cuestiones eclesiales, sino a cualquiera que desee comprender el sentido de un pontificado complejo, ya de por si complicado en gran medida por el acontecimiento que lo precedió la renuncia de Benedicto XVI; además de la delicada situación geopolítica mundial caracterizada por focos de peligrosas guerras abiertas por todas partes. El Autor restituye así el retrato de un hombre que ha elegido estar cerca de la gente, con un estilo pastoral y humano a veces insólito para muchos, e incluso extravagante para otros; pero que ha marcado la historia contemporánea de la Iglesia, generando aprecio en muchos y desorientación en otros. However, si se piensa bien, esta es la historia de todos los Pontífices, por lo menos de aquellos que, más que por los esquemas, salían de aquella quieta mediocridad que tiende a complacer a todos para no descontentar a nadie. Francisco sin duda ha seguramente descontentado a muchos y, quizá solo esto, basta para no convertirlo en un tranquilo mediocre, sino en una figura muy compleja y complicada en su aparente simplicidad. Todo ello demuestra que el hombre, cada hombre, sigue siendo en su mayor parte un misterio, incluso el hombre Jorge Mario Bergoglio, incluso el Sumo Pontífice Francisco. Luego están los que siempre tienen una respuesta para todo, But that's another issue, o para decirla en otra forma… ¡bienaventurados ellos!

4 de septiembre de 2025

 

 

______________________

Dear Readers,
this magazine requires management costs that we have always faced only with your free offers. Those who wish to support our apostolic work can send us their contribution through the convenient and safe way PayPal by clicking below:

Or if you prefer you can use our
Bank account in the name of:
Editions The island of Patmos

n Agency. 59 From Rome – Vatican
Iban code:
IT74R0503403259000000301118
For international bank transfers:
Codice SWIFT:
BAPPIT21D21

If you make a bank transfer, send an email to the editorial staff, the bank does not provide your email and we will not be able to send you a thank you message:
isoladipatmos@gmail.com

We thank you for the support you wish to offer to our apostolic service.

The Fathers of the Island of Patmos

.

.

.