Francis of Rome and Francis of Assisi: A New Springtime for the Church

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1626980837 ISBN 13: 9781626980839

Publisher: Orbis Books, 2014

In choosing his name, Pope Francis was indicating an agenda, a vision, and a sense of mission. Saint Francis, the most universally beloved saint, reformed the church by imitating Christ—in simplicity, poverty, and love for those on the margins. The spirit of St. Francis calls the church to embrace the poor, to promote peace and adopt an ecological consciousness. In embracing these values, Pope Francis has unleashed enormous hopes. Here, Leonardo Boff, one of the leading figures of liberation theology as well as the global movement for justice and ecology, explores the connections between these two Francises—and the promise they hold for the church and the world today

About the Author:

Leonardo Boff spent over thirty years as a Franciscan. Because of doctrinal problems with Vatican authorities created by his book Church he left the Franciscan order and the priesthood in 1992. Since then he has served as professor of ethics at the University of Rio de Janeiro.

Review:

"There is no shortage of excitement about Pope Francis, but very little critical theological analysis of his ministry...[Boff] one of the most credible theological voices of Catholicism supplies it." --Publishers Weekly

"Amidst the deluge of books about Pope Francis, Leonardo Boff's is the best informed and most eloquently written of any. His book is at once supple, elegant and utterly absorbing."--Harvey Cox, author, The Silencing of Leonardo Boff

"Leonardo Boff is in a unique and informed position to write this book. He brings historical, theological, and cultural analysis--along with a lot of inspiration--to present the world with the genuine newness of these two revolutionary men named Francis. Read, and get ready for a truly catholic and ecumenical Christian hope!"
--Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

"VERDICT The Volume's subject matter and format make it well suited for adult Sunday school and other discussion groups . . . " --Library Journal