Pope Francis reveals in memoirs how he was given abuse documents

insights into the personal life of the Pope

With the publication of his new autobiography on Tuesday, Francis offers remarkable insights into his earlier mistakes and failures. This includes an examination of a classmate in which he fell and lost consciousness. The Pope admits that he still makes mistakes and sins today. Such an admission is amazing for a Pope who is considered "infallible" according to the Catholic teaching.

public perception and responsibility

"I have the feeling of wearing a call that I don't earn, and public recognition that I am not worthy," writes Francis. This reflection is done in the middle of his latest award with the highest civil honor in the United States by President Joe Biden.

confrontation with crises and challenges

Autobiography also deals with the crises with which the world is confronted today. Francis, who describes himself as politically restless, repeatedly condemns the atrocities of the war and links the rise of the populism of the present with the events of the 1930s and Hitler Germany. He emphasizes that young people should understand "how distorted populism is born."

refugees and human suffering

The situation of the refugees touches Francis in the long term. His own family planned a crossing from Italy to Argentina in 1927, which ended tragically due to the demise of the "Principessa Mafalda". These experiences sensitized him to the dangers of which migrants are exposed to today, and he criticizes countries that produce weapons but at the same time reject refugees.

humility and personal experiences of the Pope

The humility of Francis is also evident in his childhood memories. Growing up in the Flores district in Buenos Aires, he describes a happy, diverse community, in which he also experienced the dark side of life, such as prostitution and crime. His sympathy and empathy towards human struggles are characterized by his pontificate, based on the deep understanding of God's mercy.

a voice for more acceptance

Franziskus has always campaigned for the acceptance of LGBTQ+people and confirms in his autobiography that God "loves you as you are." The Pope describes a group of transgender women who visited him in the Vatican as "Daughters of God."

an outlook in the future

Although Pope Francis did not think about resignation, he remains realistic about his health. He admits that he is old, but currently sees himself in good health. In his autobiography, he emphasizes the social meaning of contact with other people and explains why he chose living in the guest house Casa Santa Marta.

Franziskus' memoirs, which have been created for over six years in cooperation with the Italian publisher Mondadori, are published in large languages in more than 80 countries. The publication was preferred to collapse with the anniversary year of the Catholic Church. Despite the challenges he has met, Francis shows himself in his autobiography as a Pope, who strikes bridges with his voice that go beyond the institution.