Life. My Story Through History to be Published by HarperCollins Globally in Spring 2024
HarperCollins Publishers announced today that it will publish a new book by Pope Francis, Life. My Story Through History, in which Pope Francis tells for the first time the story of his life through the events that have marked humanity—from the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 when he was almost three years old, to the present day.
The book, which originated with HarperCollins Italy, is a global project for the company. It will be published in spring 2024 by HarperCollins in Italy, the United States, UK, Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Poland, and South America. This marks the first time HarperCollins has published a book by Pope Francis.
Life is an extraordinary journey through the decades to retrace the most significant stages of our time through the memories of the Pope. These include the fall of Berlin Wall, Videla’s coup in Argentina, the moon landing in 1969, and even the 1986 World Cup where Maradona scored “the hand of God” goal that went down in history.
The book is filled with memories of a pastor who, from his very personal point of view, recounts the Nazi extermination of the Jews, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the great economic recession of 2008, the collapse of the Twin Towers, the pandemic, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and the conclave that elected him as Pope Francis. The “pope callejero” reopens the treasure chest of his memories to recount these moments that changed the world with the candor that distinguishes him. At the same time, Francis shares important messages on major current issues including social inequalities, the climate crisis, war, atomic weapons, racial discrimination, and pro-life battles.
The Pope’s voice alternates with that of a narrator, Fabio Marchese Ragona, journalist and vaticanist for the Italian media company Mediaset, who describes the historical context in which the Pope lived.
Pope Francis said, “In this book we tell a story, the story of my life, through the most important and dramatic events that humanity has experienced over the past eighty years. This book was written so that people, especially younger people, can listen to the voice of an elderly person and reflect on what our planet has experienced, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Consider the wars that have plagued and are plaguing the world, the genocides, the persecutions, the hatred between brothers and sisters of different religions! How much pain! Having reached a certain age, it is important – also for ourselves – to reopen the book of memories and make memories: to learn by looking back in time, to find the things that are not good, the toxic things we have experienced along with the sins we have committed, but also to relive all the good that God has sent us. It is an exercise in discernment that we should all do, before it is too late!”
“We are honored to be publishing Pope Francis’ book,” said Brian Murray, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers. “From his life in Argentina to his election as the Pontifex of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has lived an exceptional life bearing witness to some of the most defining moments in recent history. We look forward to bringing his story to readers around the world.”
