THE PROMISE OF FRANCIS

In this comprehensive biography complete with full-color photography, David Willey explores the religious and personal background of the inspirational Pope Francis, his stunning impact on the Catholic Church, the hopes he has raised, and the legacy he will leave behind.

With more than four decades of firsthand experience reporting from Vatican City, David Willey explores the religious and personal background of Pope Francis and his ability to fulfill the promises of reform during the first two years of his papacy. Sex crimes and cover ups, financial scandal, declining membership, and the unprecedented self-abnegation—or was it self-preservation?— of its chief executive, Pope Benedict XVI. These were the ingredients of the 21st century crisis in the Vatican—a crisis that might have anticipated the election of a steadily conservative pope, a career bureaucrat, and an insider. An operator.

Instead, they chose Francis.

Using his unparalleled access and knowledge of the inner workings of the Vatican, BBC correspondent David Willey chronicles Francis’s first two years as pope and analyzes what could happen in the years to come. He tells the inside story of how this most unlikely man came from “the end of the world” to lead the world’s largest corporation into the future, stirring millions to interest and faith again through his frank speeches and benevolent beliefs. In putting this all into context, Willey seeks to further unravel the mysteries and conspiracies that continue to surround the worldwide headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

David Willey is the BBC’s longest serving foreign correspondent and the author of two previous books, Italians and God’s Politician. In 2004 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to broadcast journalism.