cover image Pope Francis and the New Vatican

Pope Francis and the New Vatican

Robert Draper, photos by David Yoder. National Geographic, $40 (256p) ISBN 978-1-4262-1582-7

This beautiful book of photographs and essays highlights Pope Francis and his mission. The opening pages show the new Pope, ebullient, embracing a young man, touching the fingertips of a small girl, and addressing the crowds in St. Peter's Square. Four essays on the Vatican, tradition, change, and Pope Francis's own life are accompanied by stunning photos of the Vatican and the Pope interacting with religious orders and the throngs that come to see him, hear him, and touch him. There are chubby babies, teary eyes, processions of brides, and colorful pomp, all of which combine with the text to make a wonderful and satisfying tribute to the first Latin-American Pope, who has reached out to the entire world with his message: "Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow." 140 color photos. (Aug.)