In times of speed and noise, Pope Francis reminds us of the value of reading, reflection, and spiritual depth. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, before becoming Pope, I was already a passionate readerIn books he found wisdom, comfort, and guidance.
His favorite titles, which range from universal classics to poetry and spirituality, reflect the richness of his thought and sensibility.
Today we bid farewell to Pope Francis, a spiritual leader whose influence transcends the history of the Church. But beyond his pastoral gestures and his closeness to the most humble, Jorge Mario Bergoglio will be remembered for something profoundly human: his love of booksReading, for him, was not only an act of knowledge, but an exercise of the soul.
On every page, he sought beauty, truth, and solace. Today, we pay tribute to him through what he loved so much: reading.
You can click on the titles to go directly to the book, and at the end, you can find a list of Pope Francis's favorite books on Amazon. Don't miss it!
The Books that Accompanied the Pope
Francisco has shared his favorite books and authors on numerous occasions, many of them works that invite introspection and social commitment.
- "The Betrothed" by Alessandro Manzoni:
A novel that the Pope has reread several times and that has accompanied him since childhood, thanks to his grandmother. This Italian work is a refuge and a constant source of inspiration for him. - "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri:
An epic poem that explores the soul's journey toward GodFrancis considers this text fundamental to understanding faith and the human condition. - "Lord of the World" by Robert Hugh Benson:
A dystopian novel that Imagine the arrival of the Antichrist and which the Pope recommends as a warning about the dangers of relativism and dehumanization. - "Notes from Underground" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky:
Francisco appreciates Dostoevsky for his psychological and spiritual depth, finding in this work a lucid look at the human soul. - "The Grand Inquisitor" by Fyodor Dostoevsky:
An essential passage from The Brothers Karamazov which condenses reflections on faith and atheism. - Works by Jorge Luis Borges:
The Pope maintained friendship with Borges and has recommended its reading, assessing its influence on literary and spiritual thought.
Argentine roots and Jesuit spirituality
- "Spiritual Exercises" of Saint Ignatius of Loyola:
As a Jesuit, Francis consider these essential texts for spiritual life and has recommended its reading. - «Confessions» of Saint Augustine:
Another of Pope Francis' favorite books. A fundamental work of spirituality Christian that the Pope usually recommends. - "Patmos" by Friedrich Hölderlin:
Francis cited Hölderlin's poetry for its beauty and spiritual depth, especially the verse "where there is danger, what saves us also grows." - "Martín Fierro" by José Hernández:
As a good Argentinian that Francisco was, recommends this classic Argentine book which highlights the identity and values of the Pope's hometown. - «Megafon, or the war» by Leopoldo Marechal:
Another Argentine novel recommended this time for his reflections on society and faith. - "Adan Buenosayres" by Leopoldo Marechal:
Another Argentine work that the Pope has cited as a reference literary. - Poetry by Nino Costa:
Related to his childhood and her grandmother's teaching. - "In Search of Lost Time" by Marcel Proust:
An absolutely essential work for anyone. Cited by Francisco as an important literary reference. - "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis:
A curious recommendation, but the fancy he liked it too. Another recommended author for its symbolic and spiritual value.
Amazon's list of Pope Francis' favorite books
Reading as a Path to Humanization
For Pope Francis, reading is much more than a hobby: it is a path to humanization, empathy, and growth. He has warned about the danger of "intellectual and spiritual impoverishment" if the habit of reading is neglected, and defends the importance of listening to "another person's voice" through books.
In his words and in his gestures, Francis encourages us to open a book, to let ourselves be challenged by its pages and to discover in them not just stories, but also deep truths about ourselves and the world. His favorite books are, ultimately, an invitation to seek beauty, truth, and goodness, and to build bridges between people through the written word.
A Legacy of Wisdom
Paying homage to Pope Francis is a tribute to his love of books and his conviction that literature can transform hearts and societies. In every literary recommendation, in every quote from a poem or novel, lies the desire for a more humane, more just, and more fraternal world.
May his example inspire many to rediscover the pleasure of reading and to seek, in the pages of great books, the light that helps us walk with hope and commitment.