Pope reveals vision of mercy for a ‘wounded humanity’ in his first book

POPE FRANCIS believes that humanity is ‘deeply wounded’ and has called for the Church to show its ‘maternal side’ by getting out on to the streets to help those who are spiritually ‘wounded’.

He made the call in his first book as Pope, which he wrote with the help of Italian author and Vatican watcher Andrea Tornielli, entitled The Name Of God Is Mercy.

The book, which is being published in six languages, is being released to mark the Holy Year of Mercy – a personal initiative of the Pope’s.

It was written following a number of conversations between the writer and the Pope, and is presented in a question-and-answer format.

In the book, the Pope says: ‘Yes, I believe that this is a time of mercy. The Church is showing her maternal side, her motherly face, to a humanity that is wounded.

‘She does not wait for the wounded to knock on her doors, she looks for them on the streets, she gathers them in, she embraces them, she takes care of them, she makes them feel loved.’

Asked by Mr Tornielli why humanity is in such need of mercy, Pope Francis adds: ‘Because humanity is wounded, deeply wounded. Either it does not know how to cure its wounds or it believes that it’s not possible to cure them.’

The book also reveals that the Pope has learned to never trust his first instinct in something. Instead, he takes some time to reflect on it before making his mind up. He says: ‘Things come to me by themselves. They are the ways of the Lord, and they are preserved in prayer.

‘I am inclined never to trust my first reaction to an idea or to a proposal that is made to me. I never trust myself in part because my first reaction is usually wrong.

‘I have learned to wait, to trust in the Lord, to ask for his help, so I can discern better

‘The corrupt man leads a double life’

and receive guidance.’ He also speaks about corruption and said it must not be accepted as ‘just another sin’.

‘The corrupt man is the one who sins but does not repent, who sins and pretends to be Christian, and it is this double life that is scandalous.

‘The corrupt man tires of asking for forgiveness and ends up believing he doesn’t need to ask for it any more.’

The author, Andrea Tornielli, said it is insight such as this that he was hoping to capture in the book. ‘I thought how wonderful it would be to ask him a few questions that focus on the theme of mercy and forgiveness, to analyse what those words mean to him, as a man and a priest,’ he writes in the foreword.

The Italian author said he was hoping to ‘reveal the heart of Francis and his vision’.

Exclusive extracts from the book are included in a fourpage pullout in today’s Irish Mail on Sunday, including details on the Pope’s views on true mercy, what it is to be a sinner, and corruption.

The cover of the new book features Pope Francis’s own handwriting.

The book is being launched on Tuesday and will be released in 84 countries.