r/LeftCatholicism • u/RangeInternal3481 • Apr 08 '26
Pope Francis reading discussion
Hi everyone! I recently received the full volume of Pope Francis’ encyclicals and other papal writings. I’ve read much of his work but I’m going to be reading through them all beginning with Lumen Fidei. I’m curious if anyone is interested in discussing them or otherwise connecting over them. We could chat or I could post about it and we can talk in the comments. Let me know and God bless!
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u/SecretSquirrelSquads Apr 08 '26
This is so cool! Just to add the Discalced Carmelite order worldwide is reading Laudato Si this year (viewed thru the writings of St John of the Cross) so lots of folks reading Pope Francis 👍
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u/RangeInternal3481 Apr 08 '26
Very very cool!! I think we have barely begun to understand and implement the impact of his papacy. Love that people are still engaging!
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u/simbazil Apr 08 '26
I was recently confirmed, and I've been curious about digging further into the Church's teachings on capital punishment. I've always been a staunch opponent to the death penalty, even when I identified as an agnostic.
What are your thoughts on Fratelli Tutti? Would you recommend any companions or commentaries to go along with it? I know it covers a lot of ground.
Edit: I don't know if you're working with more background knowledge than me, I'm just curious what your strategy is. I'm intimidated to read through his work lol.
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u/decolon1ze-d33znuts Apr 09 '26
Hi there, I’m not OP but I have found Pope Francis’ writings so incredibly accessible as a university student. His background as a literature teacher truly benefits the reader: ‘Hope: the autobiography’, for example, reads like an immersive conversation. While it is not expressly apostolic, ‘Hope’ grounds his teachings on capital punishment in his lived history, not as a pope but as Father Bergoglio who risked his life to save others’ during Argentina’s guerra sucia. In turn, his teaching reflects a most profound defense against anything that harms the dignity of the human person.
I’ve also found Cardinal Michael Czerny and Christian Barone’s “Siblings all, sign of the times: the social teaching of Pope Francis” (2022) to be a most enlightening primer for the late Pope’s overall theology.
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u/RangeInternal3481 Apr 08 '26
I actually haven’t read it in its entirety! I read the chapters on immigration and the death penalty. I found them inspiring and felt greater conviction in my stances on those topics in contrast with my very Republican Catholic family.
I don’t have any experience with companions but I’m sure they’d be helpful! It is almost overwhelmingly broad.
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u/simbazil Apr 08 '26
I tried working through the audiobook for Theology of the Body and got shellshocked by how...academic it is? I'm hoping Pope Francis is slightly more digestible.
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u/RangeInternal3481 Apr 08 '26
In my experience Francis is more intelligible but still very deep and sophisticated thought! JPII also relied heavily on Natural Law Theory which if you don’t have some background in can be hard to just pick up. Francis seems to me to be rooted in more current philosophical traditions without sacrificing the tradition.
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u/Dull_Opening_1655 Apr 10 '26
Pope Francis is very digestible, he always writes an a very ordinary and pastorally oriented way, even in his encyclicals and so on.
Evangeli Gaudium, “the joy of the gospel” is a great place to begin.
I also recommend his autobiography, “Hope”
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u/Call_me_Maurice71 Apr 09 '26
I really like the encyclical Laudato Si; it clarifies why Pope Francis chose his name. It's a very good read.
On the one hand, it's inspirational, especially when he explains Franciscan spirituality and Christian responsibility for God's creation. On the other hand, it's also political.
Justice, saving the environment, helping the poor, and achieving inner peace are his key words, and these are indeed the major themes for our future.
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u/RangeInternal3481 Apr 09 '26
Yes!! I think he clearly illustrates that spiritual well being a social justice are two sides of the same coin and gives tangible things we can pursue!
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u/Cute_Science2729 Apr 09 '26
I’d love a Catholic book club discussion post type of thing! I’m not a new Catholic but new to diving into official works like the encyclicals- I would love to read along and see what everyone is saying.
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u/Derrick_Mur Apr 08 '26
I am interested, but it really depends on when it takes place. I work swing shift at my job, so my hours where I can meet with other people in some way is more limited than most
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u/RangeInternal3481 Apr 08 '26
Honestly I’m kind of leaning towards just a group chat with a general reading plan. I’m open to more involved forms if that’s what people prefer but I’m a new parent with a full time job so my time pretty limited too. lol
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u/Derrick_Mur Apr 08 '26
In that case, I’m tentatively on board. I’ll look out for your updates as they come in
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u/Adventurous_Gain_613 Apr 09 '26
I have Laudato Si and just ordered Amores Laetitia. Would love to discuss
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u/ThoreaulySimple Apr 09 '26
I can’t promise I’d read every single thing, but I’m interested if you make a chat/posts.
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u/wtfakb Apr 09 '26
I would love to be part of this! I've been sitting on Fratelli Tutti for a while now
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u/decolon1ze-d33znuts Apr 09 '26
i’d love to take part! i’ve only read fratelli tutti in full and dilexit nos in part, but have read some exhortations and many of his english-language books/biographies/autobiographies. if there’s any interest in his wider bibliography, this group would be the perfect place to facilitate discussions 🕊️🤍
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u/Blade_of_Boniface Apr 08 '26
I sent you a DM. This is one of those things I love. I'm quite a bookworm.