Hope, the Autobiography of Pope Francis

 

Hope

The Autobiography of Pope Francis

Hope, the autobiography of Pope Francis, written in collaboration with Carlo Musso, is a remarkable work that offers a penetrating glimpse into the various phases of his life. In this book, he concisely presents the experiences and influences that have shaped his thoughts and spiritual journey. With great clarity—while avoiding the usual verbosity associated with theological works—he narrates the struggles and hardships his parents and grandparents faced while settling in Argentina to start a new life.

A particularly poignant reference is made to a shipwreck that, by the grace of God, ultimately saved his family—including his father, who was just a toddler at the time. His grandparents were supposed to board the ill-fated ship but, due to unforeseen inconveniences, were unable to do so at the last minute. That very ship tragically sank, and all its passengers perished. Pope Francis reflects that had his family boarded it, he would not be here today. The book vividly describes the many struggles his family endured in their efforts to establish themselves in Argentina.

A turning point in his life came during a casual visit to a church while running an errand for his mother. An encounter with a priest and the sacrament of confession deeply moved him, igniting within him a desire to pursue the priesthood. At the time, his mother believed he would study medicine, as he had majored in Chemistry.

The book also articulates many of the key thoughts and reflections Pope Francis has expressed in his encyclicals and exhortations. In the chapter Like the Branch of the Almond Tree, he draws an analogy between the advent of spring and his own spiritual rebirth. He encourages believers not to be imprisoned by their sins and failures but to embrace repentance and renewal:

"We must put our faith in God and in His mercy, which has the power to transform us… We don’t remain imprisoned in our past, whatever it may be, but we start to see the present in another way."

Regarding the liturgy, he emphasizes its pastoral dimension:

"The liturgy can't be a rite that is an end in itself, detached from pastoral considerations. The liturgy is an encounter, and it is a new start toward others. Christians are not those who go backward. The flow of history and grace moves like the sap of a tree that bears fruit… Tradition means moving forward… The Church is certainly not an orchestra in which everyone plays the same note, but one in which each person follows their score—and it is precisely that which creates harmony. Aspiring to unity does not mean uniformity."

In the chapter All Out and All In, he further expands on his vision of the Church:

"The Church is not a court; it is not a place for coteries, favoritism, or machinations, nor is it the last European court of an absolute monarchy. Synodality is not a fashion or a slogan to be exploited. It is a way of listening to one another… It is not about collecting opinions or conducting surveys but about journeying together and being attentive to the movement of the Spirit."

This book is rich with anecdotes, reflections on immigration challenges, and profound spiritual insights. Like the Journal of Pope John XXIII, it serves as a spiritual handbook—one that is inspirational, transformative, and deeply nourishing to the soul.

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Conclave, the movie

The movie Conclave is a blatant and unashamed mockery of one of the most sacred assemblies in the Catholic Church—the gathering of Cardinals to elect a Pope. Though the producers claim that the film is fictional and not intended to antagonize any religious denomination, it is, in reality, a direct attack on the Church. The very use of Catholic imagery, prayers, and rituals demonstrates that this film deliberately targets Catholics, as no other religious group holds a conclave to elect a Pope.

The film portrays the papal election process in a highly distorted and offensive manner, depicting the Cardinals as engaged in bitter power struggles rather than a prayerful and solemn discernment of God’s will. The introduction of a fictional Afghan Cardinal, to whom they ascribe radical liberal views, serves as a vehicle for imposing modern ideological narratives onto the Church. The climax of the film—where, after failing to find a suitable candidate, the Cardinals elect the Afghan Cardinal, only to later discover that he is a transgender individual—reduces the sacred process to a crude satire. This is nothing short of a direct and malicious attack on the Church’s most revered traditions.

Would such a film ever be made about the election of a successor to a spiritual leader in Iran or another Islamic authority? It would neither gain funding nor find a theater willing to screen it. Yet, when the target is the Catholic Church, such an offensive portrayal is not only tolerated but even celebrated—evidenced by its nomination for an Oscar. This is a scurrilous and disgraceful attempt to tarnish the Church’s image under the guise of fiction.

Inter-Church Council meeting on Jan.28,2025

 Although the attendance was low, the participation was intense and the bishops discussed many of the current issues facing the community, including the Munamabom ,wild life attacks,increase of suicides and violent attacks etc.The Deepika published  the whole report and the picture of the participants well.Manorama gave only a report.The date and venue of the  next  meeting was fixed and would be hosted by Bp.Dr.Oommen George CSI at Kollam on Jan.10,26 at 10.30 am.