Austen Ivereigh has been one of the most successful of the pope's biographers in capturing him in depth.
He is also the author of the most recent big interview with the pope. It's called “Let Us Dream.” In it the pope addresses the big questions presented by the pandemic, and those about the world and the Church. The journalist says Pope Francis' pontificate is passing through a unique moment.
AUSTEN IVEREIGH
Pope Francis' Biographer
“It's a moment of maturation in the sense that the reforms he started when he was first elected pope are now arriving at a conclusion.”
He's referring for instance to the new Apostolic Constitution that will reform the Roman Curia. The document could be approved before June.
Austen Ivereigh highlights other key aspects of the pontificate, like the fact that many cardinals named by Pope Francis come from countries submerged in war or where Christians are a minority.
AUSTEN IVEREIGH
Pope Francis' Biographer
“I think the presence of those cardinals, who make up, not all, but a part of the college of cardinals, will change the dynamic of the next conclave.”
Austen Ivereigh also underlines that Pope Francis has promoted within the Church a reflection on the concept of synodality: getting more people involved in decision-making.
AUSTEN IVEREIGH
Pope Francis' Biographer
“The culture of synodality is something he is trying to introduce, and I think the defining moment will be toward the end of 2022, in October, when we have the synod on synodality.”
It's an internal but central question because it indirectly touches on another topic: what the role of Peter's successor is in relation to bishops and other Christians, and how he should exercise his authority.
Javier Romero/Claudia Torres
