one month with our new Pope - getting to know Francis

Dear Family and Friends,

Today is Pope Francis’ one-month anniversary as Pope.  May it be the first of many anniversaries with him!

 Last week I read a book-length interview with Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) from 2010 called El Jesuita, The Jesuit. It’s been a refreshing read. I thought I’d highlight some of Francis’ favorites:

Favorite Movie: Babette’s Feast (or at least that’s his favorite modern movie)

Favorite Piece of Music: Beethoven’s Leonera overture number three as played by Fürtwangler
Favorite Painting: The White Crucifixion by Marc Chagal
Favorite Sport: to play- Basketball, to watch – Soccer
Favorite Books: The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi) by Manzini, The Divine Comedy by Dante. Dostoevsky. Marechal.
Frustrated Desire: He wanted to be a missionary in Japan, but had to stay in Argentina due to his poor health at the time
Languages: Speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and German, and admits that English pronunciation has always been hard because he’s a bit hard of hearing
Hobbies: Reading and listening to music
Teacher of: Literature, Psychology
First thing he’d save in a fire: His breviary (Liturgy of the Hours) and his agenda with all his appointments in it
What is prayer for him: “But when I most live the religious experience is the moment when I place myself, without any time limit, before the tabernacle. Sometimes, I fall asleep seated there letting him look at me. I feel as if I was in the hands of another, as if God was taking me by the hand.”

Hope that helps you get to know our new Pope a little more. I’m hoping to watch Babette’s Feast someday soon.

Let’s say a special prayer for Francis today, wishing him all the best in our hearts!

God bless you,
Brother Kevin