Let us Dream: The Path to a Better Future
Pope Francis in conversation with Austen Ivereigh
When reading Pope Francis’ writings we find a consistent and unchanging message. There is nothing surprising in what he says. He has said it all before. What is new, however, is the freshness with which we as readers come to see the world and ourselves. The world changes from being dull or overwhelming and becomes an exciting place of possibility. We find ourselves moving for the umpteenth time from apathy or discouragement to hope and to give life a go.
Let us Dream offers freshly an engaging way of living. It is more like a spiritual and spirited conversation than book, leading us through the familiar YCW method of See, Choose and Act. The force of Pope Francis’ words come from the generous and honest way in which he speaks of his own experience of failure and trial and from the simple and energising change of perspective to which he invites us.
His starting point is always with people. He enters so fully the joy, fear and grief that their lives bring. The first step on his journey is to go out imaginatively and personally to people at the margins of our own society and groups – ‘to expose ourselves to feel what wretches feel’. Then he invites us to look at our world in order to see why people are made wretched. Finally, he challenges us to work together for change. In the process we always focus on who and what matter most deeply.
SIMON & SCHUSTER
ISBN 9781398502208
This book review first appeared in the Winter 2021 edition of Madonna magazine.