This thoughtful, lively introduction to Pope Francis's life and his promising future in the Vatican details the historic events surrounding Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, the subsequent election of Pope Francis, and the particulars of the new pope's spirituality and thought. The book, jointly crafted by a Vatican Radio editor and journalist and the editor of the internet news service Catholic World News, artfully combines European and American perspectives and looks at the implications of the election of the first pope from the Americas who also is the first Jesuit pope in history. This beautiful volume features an accessible format, anecdotes and additional background information broken into boxes, and full-color photography on nearly every page, all the while relating the gripping stories of a man who has confronted poverty, dictatorship, and revolution.

Author Biography

Two veteran Catholic journalists, one based at the Vatican, the other in the U.S. join pens in this outstanding and entertaining international coproduction: Stefan von Kempis is editor at Vatican Radio with inside access to the people and places at the Vatican and around the world. He holds degrees in history, theology, and Islamic studies, and is the author of several books on Pope Benedict XVI. Philip F. Lawler has covered the Catholic Church as editor for Catholic World News and Catholic World Report for many years, and has written several books on religion and the church. He lives in Massachusetts.