The Little Flowers of Pope Francis
Written by Andrea Tornielli.
Street Date: September 2014 (Ignatius Press).
Tornielli, the foremost “Vatican insider” journalist, offers here inspiring stories, incidents, encounters, and excerpts from the writings and talks of Pope Francis through his first year as Pope.
These add up to a powerful witness by Pope Francis of “heartwarming stories of the Gospel in action”, and reflect on various spiritual and social themes important to the Pope, including mercy, forgiveness, charity, prayer, justice, Eucharist, Our Lady and much more.
His little gestures and big ones, the minor or major choices that he has made each day, his ability to meet everyone and to speak to everyone, his simple way of being himself, have made Francis not only credible but above all close. The Pope is perceived by many, many people throughout the world as ‘‘one of us’’. It is enough to watch him embrace the sick, the suffering, the children, to see why that is so.
The title echoes the Little Flowers of Saint Francis, the famous collection of stories about the beloved Francis of Assisi, whose name the Pope adopted for himself.
This work offers a wonderful collection of insightful fragments from various aspects of the life of the Pope in his first year that will help the reader become better acquainted with the immensely popular Bishop of Rome who came ‘‘from the end of the earth’’.
Andrea Tornielli is a Vatican correspondent for the highly regarded Italian newspaper La Stampa who has collaborated with numerous Italian and international publications. His numerous books include Francis – Pope of a New World; Pius XII, the Pope of the Jews; Pope Luciani: the Smile of a Saint; The Pope Who Saved the Jews; Benedict XVI, Guardian of the Faith; The Secret of Padre Pio.
@Tornielli #Fioretti
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“Pope Francis is a man with an extraordinary eye for beauty hidden in the ordinary; for seeing the smile of God in the simple, the practical, and the everyday course of human affairs. Andrea Tornielli has created a wonderful little volume that captures this Pope’s heart and thinking perfectly.”
– Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia
“What a perfectly delightful and revealing gift this book is. This collection should be at hand with other daily spiritual reminders that life-altering, history shaping faith is not primarily about doing something as much as it’s about encountering someone: Jesus Christ. Francis constantly facilitates that encounter, and Fioretti provides a path strewn with budding examples of how we can follow, and invite others along the way.”
– Sheila Liaugminas, Radio Host, Author, Non-Negotiable
“Almost a thousand years ago, God commanded St. Francis to ‘Rebuild my Church.’ And through a collection of stories, sayings, and colorful anecdotes–the original Little Flowers–we discovered how he did it. Andrea Tornielli introduces those same flowery scents, hints of the aroma of Christ, wafting throughout Pope Francis’ first year. His new book is full of memorable anecdotes and insightful reflections, which will help you sense the fragrance of this new Francis.”
– Brandon Vogt, Author, Saints and Social Justice: A Guide to Changing the World
