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Author : V. Bogomazov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Candidate of Science (Political Science)
THE BOOK UNDER REVIEW has been extensively
used or served as a framework for any relevant research
devoted to Pope Francis or the present-day Vatican. We
have arrived at this conclusion following our recent re-
search at the library of the United Nations Office at
Geneva concerning latest works of leading religious
scholars and Vaticanists. We would like to express our
sincere gratitude at this point to the library's leading
expert, head of the research assistance sector, I.A.
Gerasimova for her most efficient help.
This publication is based on the authors' long conversations with Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge
Mario Bergoglio, which took place over two years and focused on different stages of his life and
philosophy. In 2010, their book entitled Conversations with Jorge Mario Bergoglio: A Jesuit was
published in Argentina. In 2013, when Archbishop of Buenos Aires was elected a new Pope, it was
the only source of detailed information about a new supreme pontiff. Hence a continuously growing
interest to this publication, its numerous new editions and translations into various languages.
A preface written by a rabbi from Buenos Aires, Abraham Skorka, a long-time friend of Pope Fran-
cis, says: "The reader will find in this book Cardinal Bergoglio's vision with respect to the problems
currently facing the Roman Catholic Church."
Russian readers may be interested in what the Pope thinks about the attitude to Christ's suffering
depending on the era and the culture. "If you look at Eastern icons, Russian, for example, you realize
they have a very few images of a sorrowful crucifixion. It's more common to see the resurrection.
On the other hand, if we look at the Spanish Baroque period or the icons of Cuzco, Peru, we find
images of Christ with His patience torn to shreds, because the Baroque era emphasized Jesus' pas-
sion."
In the Appendix the authors have published Cardinal Bergoglio's 2002 Easter address to professors
and students of Buenos Aires which focuses on the challenges facing Argentina coupled with his
reflections on an epic poem Martin Fierro by José Hernández.
The book under review allows its readers to have a multidimensional picture of a religious leader
who presently stands at the head of the Roman Catholic Church. It is unique in the sense that you
get to know its hero straight, when he deliberates on various, sometimes very sensitive issues af-
fecting the Church. The book reveals that the Pope has a great personality, demonstrating his mo-
tivation and commitment to promote the eternal Christian values.
Francis and His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. In particular, he noted that "the Pope has been continu-
ously urging all people of goodwill to decidedly and uncompromisingly defend peace and justice."
http://interaffairs.ru
The Life of Pope Francis in His Own Words