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
