Mark K. Shriver - Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis

Mark K. Shriver has offered us a fresh and compelling glimpse into the life of Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, weaving threads of Argentinas contentious history alongside the compelling spirituality of the Jesuits. The reader gains fascinating insights into the development of the strong and compassionate character of Pope Francis. Shriver has offered something new and poignant in his quest for the real Pope Francis.

S ISTER D ONNA M ARKHAM OP, PhD, president and CEO, Catholic Charities USA

With a seekers enthusiasm, Mark K. Shriver has revealed perhaps the popes greatest gift: Shrivers deep faith seems reignited through the example of this unique leader.

D AVID G REGORY , journalist and author of Hows Your Faith?

Mark K. Shriver takes us along on his quest to understand one of the most interesting men of this century. While the book traces the various facets of Pope Franciss developmenthis family life, education, spiritual formation, cultural tensions, and personal conversionit makes us explore our own depths and encounters with change. It is a great read. By all means, dont miss this one.

J OAN C HITTISTER , O.S.B., author of Between the Dark and the Daylight: Embracing the Contradictions of Life and columnist for National Catholic Reporter

A deeply affecting and tenderhearted portrait of Pope FrancisWhat begins as a quest to know this man ends as a sublime love letter to all that matters in life. This book is good company.

G REGORY B OYLE , S.J., author of Tattoos on the Heart and founder of Homeboy Industries

A beautifully written, deeply researched, and engagingly personal take on one of the most compelling figures of our timeof any time. Mark K. Shriver takes us on a fascinating journey to the places, people, and times that shaped Jorge Mario Bergoglio. And he convincingly demonstrates how such a humble man could become an archbishop, be named a cardinal, and finally be elected pope.

J AMES M ARTIN , S.J., author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything

Pope Francis says that peoples stories are more important than theories. Pilgrimage is a treasure trove of real peoples reflections on their relationship with Jorge and the authors journey into his own faith. This book is a challenge to all of us to risk living inclusive love.

S ISTER S IMONE C AMPBELL , SSS, executive director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, and author of A Nun on the Bus

Mark K. Shrivers biography captures the popes little gestures as well as the major movements of his life. Shriver offers an everyman perspective: the person in the pew searching for solace in a Church at times undermined by scandal and deemed irrelevant by many. Shriver invites the reader into his personal journey while recounting the journey of the man who told Jesuit seminarians to get into the barrio and walk in it. We walk with both Pope Francis and Shriver in this masterful and moving work.

S TEVE K ATSOUROS , S.J., dean and executive director of Arrupe College, Loyola University Chicago

Pope Francis has revitalized the faith of millions of people around the world. Shrivers journey to better understand Francis will fascinate and inspire you, regardless of your own beliefs. He travels to Argentina and Italy and meets some of the people who served alongside the pope. His book shows us that we all, rich or poor, Christian or non-Christian, can make a difference in the world.

B ISHOP T . D . J AKES , pastor, The Potters House, Dallas, and New York Times bestselling author

I T IS 2:30 on a Saturday morning, and clusters of students from Crdoba University are shouting and laughing as they straggle home from the bar district nearby. Crdoba, Argentina, is known as La Docta, the Learned City, yet the barhopping students are loud.

His bedroom window overlooks the street. He awakens and hears them as he lies on his hard single bed. At an earlier point in his life, he might have thrived here, given his passion for teaching and for students. When he was a high school teacher in Santa Fe, Argentina, he once brought Argentinas most acclaimed writer, Jorge Luis Borges, to class. His students later produced a book of stories for which Borges wrote the prologue.

His room is bare. It feels like the room not of a priest but of a penitent, even a prisoner. It feels like a room the students outside would stare at in bewilderment were they to peer in through his window. It is roughly twelve feet by twelve feet with a single bed, a wooden chair with no cushion, and a kneeler; there is a small table near the bed with a small lamp on it and a bureau with three drawers and a picture of his mother and him.