When he's not performing his many duties as pontificate, Pope Francis likes to have an espresso or joke with friends about their soccer team's failure. These and many more insights are revealed in the book “L'Altro Francesco,” or “The Other Francis,” by American journalist Deborah Lubov.
During her time as a correspondent covering the Vatican, Lubov has built numerous relationships with important figures within the Holy See. Now, she wants to show the public the side of the pope they see.
DEBORAH LUBOV
Author, “The Other Francis”
“Once you read these very in-depth accounts from every participant, you'll see who this person is. Not why there are these questions, but rather his very original way of being pope.”
“The Other Francis” is composed of 14 interviews with some of the Holy Father's closest colleagues, friends and relatives. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, even agreed to write the preface. In addition, Maria Elena Bergoglio shared anecdotes from her brother's youth.
DEBORAH LUBOV
Author, “The Other Francis”
“Rather than having an interpretation, to have something unfiltered. I knew the voices who knew him best, and I wanted to take that together in a Q&A without any added perspective, just directly from the sources and make that known to the people.”
Whether praise or criticism, popular response is primarily based on the pope's public actions and addresses. Thus, Lubov strove to demystify St. Peter's current successor.
DEBORAH LUBOV
Author, “The Other Francis”
“At this time in the pontificate, there's been a lot of reactions, and it's a world where people are talking about defenders or enemies of the pope. To bring that into context and ask the appropriate questions to give a true view of who the pope really is was not an easy task.”
The result of this journalist's research is a book she hopes presents an image of the pope just being Francis. Although the book has currently only been published in Italian, English readers will soon be able to see the other side of the Holy Father.
