While calling himself an “old man” and saying he never expected to be Pope this long, Pope Francis says in his new autobiography that he still has dreams for the future. Source: CNS.
“We must not stumble upon tomorrow, we must build it, and we all have the responsibility to do so in a way that responds to the project of God, which is none other than the happiness of mankind, the centrality of mankind, without excluding anyone,” the 88-year-old Pope writes in his autobiography.
Hope: The Autobiography was written with the Italian editor Carlo Musso, beginning in 2019. The book was released yesterday in its original Italian and in 17 other languages in about 100 countries.
The original plan, Mr Musso said, was for the book to be released after Pope Francis’ death. But Mondadori, the Italian publisher coordinating the release, said the Pope decided in August that it should be published at the beginning of the Holy Year 2025, which has hope as its central theme.
In several chapters, Pope Francis directly addresses readers, including when he quotes St John Paul II’s words during the Jubilee 2000: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ!”
Much of the book contains familiar stories of Pope Francis’ past, his childhood and relationship with his grandmother Rosa, his vocation and ministry as a Jesuit, his service as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his election as Pope in 2013.
Pope Francis acknowledged that he has made mistakes during his pontificate, usually because of his impatience, but he defends some of his most controversial decisions, including expanding the possibilities for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to return to the sacraments and, more recently, to authorise the blessing of same-sex or cohabiting couples.
He writes about both of those decisions in the larger context of how the Church should reach out to and welcome everyone.
“All are invited. Everyone. And so: Everyone inside. Good and bad, young and old, healthy and sick. For this is the Lord’s plan.
“It is our task as pastors to take others by the hand, to accompany them, to help them to discern, and not to exclude them. And to pardon: to treat others with the same mercy that the Lord reserves for us.”
FULL STORY
Pope looks back on his life, urges people to look to future with hope (By Cindy Wooden, CNS)
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