Pope Francis

In the year since he was elected, Pope Francis's simple message of mercy, service, and renewal has spread to every corner of the world. Through his gentle demeanor, selfless actions, and welcoming call for service to others, Pope Francis has captured the attention of a world longing for an authentic message of hope--we want to hear what he has to say.

Collected from Pope Francis's speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy, The Church of Mercy is the first Vatican-authorized book detailing his vision for the Catholic Church. From how to be citizens of the world to answering God's call for evangelization, Pope Francis's deep wisdom reminds us that the Church must move beyond its own walls and joyfully bring God's mercy wherever suffering, division, or injustice exists.

Named TIME Magazine's 2013 "Person of the Year," Pope Francis is helping the Church continue toward an authentic Christianity that is faithful to the Gospel and resonant with the world's greatest needs. The Church of Mercy encourages each of us to ignite the flame within to help share the light of Christ and revitalize the Church.

Pope Francis: Embrace of Hope, Compassion in Times of Illness is filled with the pope's insight and inspiration for all who face the test of sickness and illness. Pope Francis shows how hope is found in seeing and experiencing illness in the light of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

He reveals how grace grows in times of illness when:

This easy-to-read book has the best of Pope Francis's reflections on this challenging human experience.

Presented in an elegant design, this small book is easy to take with you and a joy to read!

In his third encyclical, Fratelli Tutti ("All Brothers"), Pope Francis reflects on a topic of great importance: human solidarity and friendship. Pope Francis first greeted the world with the words fratelli e sorelle -- "brothers and sisters" -- following his election to the papacy. In this encyclical, he continues to address all men and women as his brothers and sisters, calling us to consider what our common brotherhood requires of us.

Pope Francis has shown repeatedly that he is dedicated to promoting friendship among all people. Fratelli Tutti follows his 2019 signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi. And at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Pope Francis prayed for the salvation of all people in his extraordinary "Urbi et Orbi" address in an empty St. Peter's Square.

The Holy Father calls us to live out our Christian duty to see the face of Jesus in our neighbors, recognizing everyone we meet as a brother or sister. In this encyclical, Pope Francis reminds us of our "(blessed) common belonging." By fostering a genuine affection for all, we reaffirm the dignity of every human person created in the image and likeness of God.

This edition includes discussion questions, which are perfect for individual or group study.

In his apostolic letter Patris Corde ("With a Father's Heart"), Pope Francis reflects on Saint Joseph and his multifaceted role as a father. The purpose of this letter, Pope Francis writes, "is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal." Saint Joseph is a beloved father; a tender, loving father; an obedient father; an accepting father; a creatively courageous father; a working father; and a father in the shadows. As protector, advocate, and guardian of the Holy Family, Saint Joseph has always been venerated as a father to all Christians.

With this letter, promulgated on the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed a Year of Saint Joseph from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021.

Patris Corde ends with a new prayer to Saint Joseph, and the OSV edition includes additional prayers and a litany to this beloved saint.