“Mercy is the first attribute of God. The name of God is mercy. There are no situations we cannot get out of, we are not condemned to sink into quicksand.”

Simply and directly, pope Francis here addresses all humanity in an intimate and personal dialogue. At the center of this book is the subject closest to his heart – mercy- which has long been the cornerstone of his faith and is now the central teaching of his papacy. These pages resonate with a desire to reach all those souls who are looking for meaning in life, a road to peace and reconciliation, and the healing of physical and spiritual wounds.

In this conversation with Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli, Francis explains – through memories from his youth and moving anecdotes from his experiences as a pastor – his reasons for proclaiming a Holy Year of Mercy. He reiterates that the Church cannot close the door on anyone – that, on the contrary, its duty is to find its way into the consciousness of people so that they can assume responsibility for, and move away from, the bad things they have done.

And to those who already count themselves among the ranks of the just, Francis counsels, “Even the Pope is a man who needs the mercy of God.”

The Name of God is Mercy is being published in more than eighty countries around the world.