The election of Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis has reinvigorated interest in the Church for many people, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. With a winning smile and a casual ‘Buona Sera’ the new Pope greeted the world, and the world was entranced. His message of simplicity, and his commitment to the poor and marginalised, have attracted the rapt attention of an often cynical world.
So who is Francis, Bishop of Rome, the man his colleagues went ‘to the end of the world’ to find? This short biography by Fr Michael Collins, Vatican expert and biographer of Pope Benedict XVI, explains in simple terms who Francis is, where he came from, and what the main influences on his life have been.
Collins also outlines briefly the important events in the new pontiff’s life to date, from entrance to the Society of Jesus as a young man, his appointment as Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina at a time of great civil unrest, his appointment as bishop and later Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and ultimately his election as Pope and Bishop of Rome. Having studied Greek and Roman Civilisation and History at University College Dublin, Michael Collins was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dublin, where he has served in a number of parishes. Michael has co-authored and written a number of books including Benedict XVI: Successor to Peter, John Paul II: The Path to Sainthood (Columba Press), The Story of Christianity, Vatican Secrets and Treasures of the Holy City (Dorling Kindersley). He recently edited The Illustrated Bible (Dorling Kindersley, 2012).
For more information and to get your copy online see: http://www.columba.ie/ |
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