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A Pope Francis Lexicon is a collection of over fifty essays by an impressive set of insightful contributors from around the globe, each writing on a specific word that has become important in the ministry of Pope Francis. Writers such as Sr. Simone Campbell, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, Fr. James Martin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, and Carolyn Woo explore the Pope’s use of words like joy, clericalism, money, family, and tears. Together, they reveal what Francis’s use of these words says about him, his ministry and priorities, and their significance to the church, the world, and the lives of individual Christians. The entire collection is introduced by a foreword by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, and a preface by one of Francis’s closest advisors, Cardinal Seán O’Malley.
This is no set of encyclopedia entries. It’s a reflective, inspiring, and often heartfelt book that offers engaging answers to the question “What is this surprising Pope up to?”
Themes and Contributors:
Volume foreword- Patriarch Bartholomew
Volume preface- Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap
Benedict XVI- David Gibson
Capitalism- Bishop Robert McElroy
Careerism- Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, CSsR
Church- Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig
Clerical abuse- Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, Australia
Clericalism- Archbishop Paul-André Durocher
Collegiality- Archbishop Mark Coleridge
Conscience- Austen Ivereigh
Creation- Orthodox Fr. John Chryssavgis
Curia- Massimo Faggioli
Dialogue- Archbishop Roberto O. González Nieves, OFM
Dignity- Tina Beattie
Discernment- Fr. James Martin, SJ
Ecumenism- Nontando Hadebe
Embrace- Simcha Fisher
Encounter- Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernández
Episcopal- Accountability Katie Grimes
Family- Julie Hanlon Rubio
Field Hospital- Cardinal Blase Cupich
Flesh- Msgr. Dario E. Viganò
Gossip- Kaya Oakes
Grandparents- Bill Dodds
Hagan Lio- Fr. Manuel Dorantes
Hope- Natalia Imperatori-Lee
Immigrant- Sr. Norma Seni Pimentel, MJ
Indifference- Sr. Carmen Sammut, MSOLA
Jesus- Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, SJ
Joy- Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP
Judgment- Michael J. O’Loughlin
Justice- Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS
Leadership- Kerry Alys Robinson
Legalism- Sr. Teresa Forcades i Vila, OSB
Martyrdom- Bishop Borys Gudziak
Mercy- Archbishop Donald Bolen
Miracles- John Thavis
Money- Andrea Tornielli
Periphery- Carolyn Y. Woo
Prayer- Bishop Daniel E. Flores
Reform- Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB
Refugee- Sr. Rhonda Miska
Saint Francis- Fr. Michael Perry, OFM
Satan- Greg Hillis
Second Vatican Council- Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
Service- Phyllis Zagano
Sheep- Archbishop Justin Welby
Sourpuss- Fr. James Corkery, SJ
Tears- Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle
Throwaway- culture Sr. Pat Farrell, OSF
Women- Astrid Lobo Gajiwala
Worldliness- Mollie Wilson O’Reilly
Youth- Jordan Denari Duffner
Cindy Wooden is chief of the Rome bureau of Catholic News Service. She has been reporting on the Vatican and the Catholic Church since 1989. She has traveled around the world with John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and now Pope Francis. As a result of this work, she is respected as an authority on the life and workings of the church. She is the author of Luis Antonio Tagle: Leading by Listening.
Joshua J. McElwee is National Catholic Reporter’s Vatican correspondent and a contributor to the Italian news website Vatican Insider. He has reported on Pope Francis from 23 countries and his work has earned numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association. He is the author of Ten Things Pope Francis Wants You to Know About the Family.
