Life. My story through history.

“Vida. Mi historia a través la historia” presents the life story of Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), told for the first time as a personal narrative woven into the major historical events of the last eighty-plus years. From his early childhood during the outbreak of World War II, through decades of priesthood, social work, environmental advocacy and religious leadership — this book recounts the formative experiences, moral convictions, and the evolving worldview of one of the most influential religious figures of our time. 

Rather than a conventional chronological memoir, the book juxtaposes intimate memories with global turning points. Each chapter alternates between the voice of the Pope and a contextual narrator who situates those memories within the broader sweep of world history. Through this structure, readers gain both a human portrait and a panoramic view of the social, cultural and political transformations that shaped contemporary humanity — from the horrors of war to the challenges of inequality, climate change and social justice. 

The hardcover 2024 edition spans 272 pages, translated into Spanish by Ana Romeral Moreno. For readers seeking deeper insight into faith, conscience, leadership and social responsibility, “Vida” offers a reflective, honest and wide-ranging narrative. Its accessible prose and universal themes make it suitable for both religious and secular readers interested in autobiography, contemporary history and the moral questions of our era.