what his moving spiritual testament contains

Pope Francis has already spoken about him numerous times in interviews and previous works. But Hope restores as never before its history, its temperament, its confidence in the future of the Church. This lively style autobiography was to be released after his death, but saw its publication brought forward to resonate with the jubilee, centered on hope.

The book begins as an adventure novel, with the story of the sinking of a ship carrying hundreds of Piedmontese migrants to Argentina in 1927. Jorge Bergoglio’s grandparents and the man who would become his father were to be part of the trip. For financial reasons, they postpone the crossing. “This is why I am here today,” notes the Pope.

Perhaps the most interesting part is the first half, which traces his childhood and youth alongside three younger brothers and a sister in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, a “lush kaleidoscope of ethnicities, religions and professions. Anecdotes abound, revealing the richness of his friendships, the role of his grandmother Rosa, or the help that a psychiatrist gave him during the year when he secretly transported, in his car, opponents of the dictatorship of the generals. . His interest in psychology and literature is also discussed, as is his passion for football. Without forgetting moving lines on the spiritual meaning of tango.

Keys to understanding

The story of the 2013 conclave gives a glimpse of “maneuvers” which are reminiscent, even from a distance, of the film Conclave (2024) by Edward Berger. The abuse crisis, on the other hand, is dealt with briefly. Francis admits to having made “many mistakes” when he was provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina. But the reader will not know more about it, any more than about other sensitive matters, such as the celibacy of priests. Throughout the pages, a man made of one piece emerges, gifted with constant attention to retain and meditate in his heart the events of life. A key work for understanding this pope who is entering the final stretch of his pontificate.