The “Bergoglian” roots of hope in Pope Francis: hope as the cornerstone of his theological anthropology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21703/2735-6345.3702Keywords:
hope, Pope Francis, Bergoglio, theological anthropologyAbstract
After twelve years of pontificate, the initially almost unknown figure of Pope Francis has reached his highest level at the time of his death, when he was 88 years old. The trajectory of Pope Bergoglio's life was quickly scrutinized by the press from his first appearance in St. Peter's Square and the fascination that his initial gestures and words provoked. Although he is the first Latin American pope, he intentionally and decisively projected a universal papacy with its own stamp from the very beginning. This paper aims to review and value the figure and legacy of Francis from his evangelizing program. Our hypothesis is that the Christian virtue of hope configured, together with mercy, the articulating center of his theological anthropology, his pastoral action, and the seal of evangelizing joy which surprisingly enhanced his already naturally optimistic and positive personality.
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