Pope’s new memoir unlikely to quell Catholic dissent

In his tantalising, intriguing, and sometimes frustrating new autobiography, Pope Francis outlines a recipe for “infinite possibilities” that will please neither conservatives nor radicals.

Pope Francis kisses a wooden statuette of the infant Jesus. Francis continues to provoke what can only be called venomous responses from many of his own flock, especially in the US. AP

Rowan Williams

Jan 22, 2025 – 5.00am

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In October 1927, the SS Principessa Mafalda sank off the coast of Brazil, with the loss of at least 300 lives (almost certainly the official numbers underestimated the casualties) including significant numbers of migrants from Italy and some from the Middle East.

Pope Francis’ Hope: The Autobiography, released last week, opens with this dramatic tragedy – partly because his grandparents had been due to sail from Genoa to Buenos Aires on the Mafalda and had to delay their voyage at the last minute. But the decision to begin with this story reflects a theme that runs through a great deal of the book.

New Statesman