Pope Francis is certainly a pope of contrasts: he is applauded in Cuba and also loved in the United States. He is able to speak to the masses, and his message is felt by each person out of the millions who listen. He is a pontiff who has managed to become one of the main political actors of his time. And he has done it by breaking the mold.
Marcelo Larraquy, a historian, journalist and head of the research section of Clarín newspaper, continues to unravel the keys to success of Bergoglio in his new book.
MARCELO LARRAQUY
Author, 'Código Franciscoâ?
'The Francis code is advancing complex issues with simple poses. These poses give his pastoral approach a political character, but it also is a strategy here and now. That is, the Pope does not want to be known in history, the Pope is working to reach out to solve the world's problems today.'
His proposals are always original: from bringing the presidents of Israel and Palestine to the Vatican to pray for peace; to traveling to Lesbos to transport three Muslim refugee families to Rome.
It would appear the Archbishop of Buenos Aires became a world leader overnight. However, Marcelo Larraquy shows how during his Argentine years, Bergoglio cultivated the political soul that we all know.
MARCELO LARRAQUY
Author, 'Código Franciscoâ?
'Rightly so, the political characteristic of Pope Francis's policy is his government, his ability to govern. He was a man who began to rule from a young age.'
Three years after his ordination, he was appointed superior of the Jesuits in Argentina, and had to deal with situations of very strong internal division and with a military dictatorship in the government.
As for his political proposals, Marcelo Larraquy highlights an attitude that was perhaps not in world forums previously: mercy translated into social policies and bridges built between opposing views.
MARCELO LARRAQUY
Author, 'Código Franciscoâ?
'He is a Pope who puts those interests aside to try to seek peace in different sectors, he puts the Church above all other particular interests. It is not only asking for mercy, it is creating awareness of the idea that there is a third underlying world war in fragments, including the climate change, the environment, the land, producing its own destruction when only moved by the work of the market.'
Marcelo Larraquy is already the author of a biography of the Pope, and so in this work, he goes far beyond that because he tries to decode the political man.
The Pope is a simple person, but does things in such a novel way that is not easy to understand his actions and decisions. That it makes the book, 'Código Franciscoâ? by Marcelo Larraquy, a must for those who want to know the real Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
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