Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope. Elected as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis is known for his humility, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. He has been a vocal advocate for a "church for the poor," environmental stewardship, and the reform of the Vatican. His teachings and actions often emphasize mercy, social justice, and the need to bridge gaps between people of different faiths and socioeconomic backgrounds. Pope Francis has made significant efforts to modernize the Church's approach on various contemporary issues, making him a pivotal figure in its recent history.
❝Reading has made many saints.❞ — Pope Francis
Pope Francis is also an avid reader and has expressed his fondness for classic literature and theological works. His intellectual pursuits include a broad array of topics from religious texts to philosophical treatises. He often quotes literary figures and intellectuals in his speeches and writings, reflecting a deep engagement with the world of ideas. His recommendations for reading have included not only spiritual and theological works but also writings by authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky and Jorge Luis Borges, indicating his broad literary tastes and the influence of these readings on his thought and teachings.
Pope Francis' Favorite Books
Last Updated: June 2024
The Divine Comedy: The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso
Author: Dante Alighieri
Publisher: Berkley
Date: May 27th, 2003
Dante's epic poem takes the reader on an allegorical journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, exploring themes of human sin, redemption, and the quest for divine grace and understanding.
Lord of the World
Author: Robert Hugh Benson
Publisher: Independently published
Date: Oct 5th, 2021
This prophetic novel portrays a dystopian future where secularism leads to global despair, focusing on the antichrist's rise to power and the end of times, as foretold in Christian eschatology.
Notes from Underground
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Publisher: Vintage
Date: Aug 30th, 1994
In this seminal existentialist novel, Dostoevsky delves into the thoughts and musings of a bitter, isolated man living in St. Petersburg, whose ramblings address his criticisms of society and insights into the human condition.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: Based on Studies in the Language of the Autograph
Author: Ignatius of Loyola
Publisher: Loyola Press
Date: Dec 12th, 1968
This book offers a precise translation and explanation of St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises, a series of meditations and practices designed to deepen one's relationship with God through structured contemplation and reflection.
Adam Buenosayres: A Novel
Author: Leopoldo Marechal
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
Date: Apr 1st, 2014
Often regarded as a cornerstone of Argentine literature, this novel follows the intellectual and fantastical adventures of Adam Buenosayres, a character navigating the complex cultural and social landscape of Buenos Aires in the 1920s.
Quo Vadis
Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
Publisher: Alan Rodgers Books
Date: Dec 1st, 2006
Set in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, this historical novel portrays the clash between the decadent Roman Empire and Christianity, focusing on the love story between a young Christian woman and a Roman soldier.
The Betrothed
Author: Alessandro Manzoni
Publisher: Loki's Publishing
Date: Mar 2nd, 2019
Often considered one of the greatest novels in Italian literature, this epic tale set in 17th-century Lombardy follows the trials and tribulations of two lovers whose plans to marry are thwarted by a series of unforeseen events and social turmoil.
The Lord
Author: Romano Guardini
Publisher: Gateway Editions
Date: Sep 1st, 1996
This seminal work by Romano Guardini offers a profound meditation on the life, teachings, and person of Jesus Christ, exploring His historical and spiritual impact through a theological and personal lens.
The Garden of Forking Paths
Author: BORGES JORGE LUIS
Publisher: PENGUIN UK
Date: Feb 22nd, 2018
This short story from Borges' collection Ficciones is a metaphysical narrative that explores themes of time, decisions, and realities through the story of a Chinese professor and spy in World War I Europe who discovers a novel written by his ancestor that presents multiple outcomes from the same set of events.
Late Have I Loved Thee: Selected Writings of Saint Augustine on Love
Author: Augustine Augustine of Hippo
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Date: Dec 5th, 2006
This collection features various writings by Saint Augustine that explore his philosophical and theological thoughts on love, drawn from his extensive works including the "Confessions" and "City of God."
The Splendor of the Church
Author: Henri De Lubac
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Date: Oct 5th, 1986
his theological work by Henri de Lubac examines the nature and mission of the Church, discussing its spiritual foundations, historical challenges, and the enduring significance of its teachings and sacraments.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: or Manresa
Author: Ignatius of Loyola
Publisher: TAN Books
Date: Dec 1st, 1999
This guide outlines the spiritual exercises developed by St. Ignatius Loyola, intended as a program of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices to help deepen one's connection with God and discern His will for a more devout life.
Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Major Works
Author: Gerard Manley Hopkins
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: Apr 15th, 2009
This collection features the poetry and selected prose of Gerard Manley Hopkins, the Victorian Jesuit priest whose innovative verse, characterized by sprung rhythm and intricate use of language, captures intense spiritual experiences and natural observations.
The Diary of a Country Priest
Author: Georges Bernanos
Publisher: Lulu.com
Date: Sep 6th, 2019
This novel chronicles the struggles and spiritual journey of a young, idealistic priest in a small French village, whose attempts to live a Christ-like life lead to both suffering and profound insights into the human condition.
Spiritual writings of Pierre Favre
Author: Petrus Faber
Publisher: Institute of Jesuit Sources
Date: Sep 7th, 1996
This collection presents the spiritual insights and reflections of Pierre Favre, one of the early Jesuits, whose writings contribute to the Jesuit principles of finding God in all things and promoting a life of active contemplation.
The Brothers Karamazov
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date: Jun 14th, 2002
This profound novel delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on their internal moral struggles, profound philosophical dialogues, and the search for faith and meaning amidst personal tragedy.
We
Author: Yevgeny Zamyatin
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Date: Dec 15th, 2015
Set in a dystopian future where society is controlled by an authoritarian regime that suppresses individuality, Zamyatin's novel follows D-503, an engineer who begins to question the rigidly ordered world he lives in, leading to profound consequences for his life and ideology.
Selected Poems and Fragments
Author: Friedrich Holderlin
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Date: Sep 1st, 1998
This collection showcases the deeply emotional and philosophically rich poetry of Friedrich Hölderlin, a key figure in German Romanticism, whose work explores themes of nature, divine presence, and human alienation.
The Return of the Prodigal Son
Author: Henri J. M. Nouwen
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Date: Nov 14th, 2023
In this inspirational book, Nouwen reflects deeply on Rembrandt's painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son" and the parable it depicts, using the story as a framework to explore themes of divine mercy, forgiveness, and human reconciliation.
Lord of the World
Author: Robert Hugh Benson
Publisher: Christian Classics
Date: Feb 5th, 2016
This prophetic early 20th-century novel imagines a dystopian future where secularism has taken over society, leading to the rise of a totalitarian world government and a final, apocalyptic struggle between good and evil.