Hope: The Autobiography
by Pope Francis , Jorge Mario Bergoglio
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Pope Francis originally intended this exceptional memoir to appear only after his death, but the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope moved him to make this precious legacy available sooner. Now, the book stands as his testament; the spiritual, faith-filled, as well as moral, social, and civic legacy that he envisioned and left for the benefit of all the men and women of the world.
"Hope vividly recreates the colorful world where the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio grew up."--The New York Times
Hope is the first autobiography in history ever to be published by a Pope. Written over six years, this complete autobiography starts in the early years of the twentieth century, with Pope Francis's Italian roots and his ancestors' courageous migration to Latin America, continuing through his childhood, the enthusiasms and preoccupations of his youth, his vocation, adult life, and the whole of his papacy up to the present day.
In recounting his memories with intimate narrative force (not forgetting his own personal passions), Pope Francis deals unsparingly with some of the crucial moments of his papacy and writes candidly, fearlessly, and prophetically about some of the most important and controversial questions of our present times: war and peace (including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), migration, environmental crisis, social policy, the position of women, sexuality, technological developments, the future of the Church and of religion in general.
Hope includes a wealth of revelations, anecdotes, and illuminating thoughts. It is a thrilling and very human memoir, moving and sometimes funny, which represents the "story of a life" and, at the same time, a touching moral and spiritual testament that will fascinate readers throughout the world and will be Pope Francis's legacy of hope for future generations.
The book is enhanced by remarkable photographs, including private and unpublished material made personally available by Pope Francis himself.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 0593978773
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio
- Publisher
- Random House Trade
- Published Date
- January 14, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 320
- Physical Info
- 1.12 in H x 9.51 in L x 6.44 in W (1.26 lb)

Great book
Pope Francis shares both his life story and his viewpoint on a myriad of subjects. It’s interesting to learn the experiences and environments that formed the man and Pope he has become while leading the Catholic Church. As a non-Catholic it is still an interesting read and educational walk through this Popes life and viewpoints.
His doctrine to handling the most vulnerable was disarming and compelling at the same time!
Very interesting and easy to read.
Love the Man, love the story!
- 5 stars: 19 (95%)
- 4 stars: 1 (5%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
Great book
Pope Francis shares both his life story and his viewpoint on a myriad of subjects. It’s interesting to learn the experiences and environments that formed the man and Pope he has become while leading the Catholic Church. As a non-Catholic it is still an interesting read and educational walk through this Popes life and viewpoints.
His doctrine to handling the most vulnerable was disarming and compelling at the same time!
Very interesting and easy to read.
Love the Man, love the story!
A beautiful story of a great bishop of Rome. A follower of Jesus living out the role of the good shepherd.
Enjoyed reading. Wonderful insights.
What an amazing book! Everyone should read it. I enjoyed it so much.
Just finishing this book because I intentionally wanted to take my time to appreciate the Pope's history and his perspective. Excellent insight into the world at the Vatican.
Hope by Pope Francis don’t come at you loud—it comes like a whisper on the wind, steady and kind. It’s the kind of book you don’t rush through. You sit with it, like you’d sit with an old friend on the porch, sipping coffee while the sun comes up. Francis speaks plain and gentle, but what he says cuts deep. He names the hurt in the world—wars, loneliness, poverty, division—but he don’t stop there. He keeps turning our eyes back toward something stronger: a hope rooted in mercy, in tenderness, in the quiet presence of Christ walking beside the broken.The Pope writes like a man who’s seen both sorrow and grace. His words don’t preach down—they kneel beside you. He reminds us that hope ain’t a feeling you chase, it’s a decision you make. It’s living like love matters. It’s showing up when your neighbor’s lost someone. It’s believing God’s still moving, even when the sky stays gray. You hear echoes of scripture, sure—but also echoes of our own lives. He makes room for doubt, for grief, and somehow still invites you to believe anyway.Motifs of light in darkness, of seeds in the soil, of wounds that heal shine through the pages. He don’t dress them up—they’re just there, honest and bare, like desert land. And behind it all, there’s this New Monastic rhythm—simple, grounded, communal. Francis wants us to know we ain’t meant to walk this road alone. Hope, he says, is something we build together, one act of compassion at a time.I happened to finish this little book not long after His Holiness passed. That hit heavy. Felt like his final blessing. Pope Francis was a shepherd who walked with the poor, spoke truth with a soft voice, and taught us that compassion ain’t just a feeling—it’s a holy duty. May he rest easy in God’s peace, and may we carry forward the hope he gave, like candles lit from one flame to the next.
Excellent biography of one of our true national leaders!!
Wonderful book!
Wonderful book! So fascinating about a great man!
I will reread this book. So much a teacher was Pope Francis and so much in this book I need to understand and learn. I will miss him.
Pope Francis wrote his autobiography with style, wit and sincerity.He had so many experiences growing up, so he was worldly.His calling to the priesthood came early.What a remarkable man. Highly recommended.
What an interesting read.
Reading this book feels like one is listening to our beloved Pope Francis speaking in his own voice with that warm smile on his face.It’s like a story being told on a fire place in late evenings somewhere in a little village called Kariba or any other small community setting for that matter.It’s a book to read.
This autobiography of Pope Francis is a treasure. I have highlighted so many passages to 're-read' for prayerful contemplation. It is beautifully written and included some of the most profound thoughts and ideas that I have ever been exposed to. It is a 'must read' for all Catholics, practicing or not. Get yourself a copy, read it, and get back to church!
An excellent book which expresses the heart of Pope Francis. His ministry is based on love. The love of everyone. All have sinned but can find mercy in God. No one is exclude from the Love of the Father. Everyone should be recognized as brother or sister. Our life’s focus should be on service to others not service to our self. The book is truly an inspiration. As in the end of the book, Pope Francis has gifted us both roots and wings to live each day forward.
In today's world of confusion, fear, and stress, Pope Francis book regarding his life, and his message of HOPE brought me peace, joy, and a true sense of fulfillment. The book itself is extremely engaging regarding the Pope's life, and very well written. However, the last few chapters are not to be missed. It is these chapters that offer a way of thinking that brings the reader a sense of JOY. THANK YOU POPE FRANCIS FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BOOK.
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