As a practicing Catholic, I really wanted to learn more about Pope Francis than the mixed messages that were being distributed about him and his views in the press. Although author Mario Escobar’s biography does supply some background on the pope and fills in some of his beliefs, I came away not knowing him really, anymore than I did before reading this book.
I found the writing style rather boring and uninteresting and Escobar’s grasp on Catholicism rather lacking. I especially became annoyed when I read this passage which is the most idiotic suggestion I’ve ever read in a supposed serious biography of a pope: “(T)he Dominican Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva was built over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple of Minerva, goddess of wisdom, as if the cardinals were seeking the wisdom of a pagan goddess in electing their pope.” This is the height of idiocy and a great attack upon the Church. I find it unbelievable that a fine publisher such as Thomas Nelson would even have printed such rubbish! Frankly, as a Catholic I am offended at such an ignorant musing being put into print in a so-called biography of a pope.
This comment took place on page 71 which wasn’t even yet the half-way mark. I found the rest of the work quite tedious and it took me a very long time to finish reading it.
For anyone wanting to read an intelligent, serious and in-depth biography on the current pope, I suggest waiting a little longer until a much better researched project is published.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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