Wounded Shepherd: Pope Francis and His Struggle to Convert the Catholic Church, Ivereigh Austen

Following his critically acclaimed The Great Reformer, Austen Ivereighs colorful, clear-eyed portrait of Pope Francis takes us inside the Vaticans urgent debate over the future of the church in Wounded Shepherd.

This deeply contextual biography centers on the tensions generated by the popes attempt to turn the Church away from power and tradition and outwards to engage humanity with Gods mercy. Through battles with corrupt bankers and worldly cardinals, in turbulent meetings and on global trips, historys first Latin-American pope has attempted to reshape the Church to evangelize the contemporary age. At the same time, he has stirred other leaders deep-seated fear that the Church is capitulating to modernity--leaders who have challenged his bid to create a more welcoming, attentive institution.

Facing rebellions over his allowing sacraments for the divorced and his attempt to create a more ecological Catholicism, as well as a firestorm of criticism for the Churchs record on sexual abuse, Francis emerges as a leader of remarkable vision and skill with a relentless spiritual focus--a leader who is at peace in the turmoil surrounding him.

With entertaining anecdotes, insider accounts, and expert analysis, Ivereighs journey through the key episodes of Franciss reform in Rome and the wider Church brings into sharp focus the frustrations and fury, as well as the joys and successes, of one of the most remarkable pontificates of the contemporary age.