New

Pope Francis: Outsider Whose Reforming Mission Made Him An Ally Of Progressives

The pontiff took on church traditionalists and rightwing populism, making powerful enemies on the way

In his first words from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in 2013, the newly elected Pope Francis, told the packed square below: “You all know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have come almost to the ends of the earth to get him.”

The wry observation struck a winning self-deprecatory note. But the Argentinian pope’s allusion to his outsider status was telling: having been chosen by his peers, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio intended his to be a far more radical and reforming papacy than the conclave had bargained for. In the 13th century, St Francis of Assisi is said to have received the divine instruction: “Go, rebuild my house.” The first Pope to take the saint’s name viewed his own task in similar terms.

Back to Listing

credit:

Pope Francis: Outsider Whose Reforming Mission Made Him An Ally Of Progressives

Popular Products