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Life is an extraordinary journey through the decades to retrace the most significant stages of our time through the memories of the Pope. These include the fall of Berlin Wall, Videla''s coup in Argentina, the moon landing in 1969, and even the 1986 World Cup where Maradona scored "the hand of God" goal that went down in history. The book is filled with memories of a pastor who, from his very personal point of view, recounts the Nazi extermination of the Jews, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the great economic recession of 2008, the collapse of the Twin Towers, the pandemic, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and the conclave that elected him as Pope Francis. The "pope callejero" reopens the treasure chest of his memories to recount these moments that changed the world with the candor that distinguishes him. At the same time, Francis shares important messages on major current issues including social inequalities, the climate crisis, war, atomic weapons, racial discrimination, and pro-life battles. "In this book we tell a story--the story of my life--through the most important and dramatic events that humanity has experienced over the last eighty years. This book is published so that people, especially the younger ones, can listen to the voice of an elderly person and reflect on what our planet has been through, to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. "Let''s think about wars that plagued and plague the world, for examples. Let''s think about genocides, persecutions, hate among brothers and sisters of different religions! How much pain! Once we reach a certain age, it is important - also for ourselves - to reopen the book of memories and to remember, keeping alive the memory: to learn by looking back in time, to recollect the bad things, the toxic ones that we have experienced together with the sins we committed, but also to relive everything good that God has sent us. It''s an exercise of discernment we should all do before it''s too late!" - Pope Francis ...
About the author
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969. Appointed auxiliary bishop in 1992, he became archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was made a cardinal in 2001. In March 2013 he was elected as pope, the two hundred and sixty-sixth pontiff of the Catholic Church, with the name Francis.
Summary
POPE FRANCIS' DEBUT MEMOIR · A moving, deeply human account of the life and legacy of one of the bravest and most visionary leaders in modern history—A must read for all generations in a world yearning for hope and change
For the first time, Pope Francis tells the story of his life as he looks back on the momentous world events that have changed history—from his earliest years during the outbreak of World War II in 1939 to the turmoil of today. An extraordinary personal and historical journey, Life is the story of a man and a world in dramatic change. A champion for the oppressed and marginalized—and the future of our planet—Pope Francis has inspired all of us to take action to alter the course of history toward a more loving and humane trajectory.
With eloquence, passion, and humility, Pope Francis recalls his life through memories and observations of the most significant occurrences of the past eight decades. The book opens with three-year-old Jorge in the kitchen with his mother in Argentina as World War II breaks out, and he goes on to witness several historic events:
- The fall of the Berlin Wall
- Videla’s coup in Argentina
- The moon landing in 1969
- And even the 1986 World Cup in which Maradona scored the unforgettable “hand of God” goal.
Here are the frank assessments and intimate insights of a pastor reflecting on the Nazi extermination of the Jews, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 2001 terrorist attack on America and the collapse of the Twin Towers, the great economic recession of 2008, the Covid-19 pandemic, the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, and the subsequent conclave that elected him Pontiff.
The “pope callejero” recounts these world-changing moments with the candor and compassion that distinguishes him and offers important messages on major crises confronting us now, including social inequalities, climate change, international war, atomic weapons, racial discrimination, political unease, and the battles over social and cultural issues. An innovative change agent and a profoundly empathetic leader, the late Pope's words and vision live on in this unforgettable account of a religious and humanitarian legend.
“We must learn from our elders what our planet has experienced, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past.”—Pope Francis
