Pope Francis' Profound Personalism & Poverty

By Robert Laurder and Robert E Lauder

Book Overview

Pope Francis' Profound Personalism and Poverty

Pope Francis' Profound Personalism and Poverty by Rev. Robert E. Lauder is a concise, accessible, and uplifting exploration of Pope Francis' theological, spiritual, and philosophical vision of the human person.

Father Lauder, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and longtime professor of philosophy at St. John's University (where he taught personalism), synthesizes Francis' writings, speeches, and actions to highlight a profound personalism rooted in God's loving presence. He shows how Francis views every human being as a beloved child of God, created for relationship, dignity, and love rather than individualism, narcissism, or self-centeredness. The book links this personalism to the theme of poverty--both material/spiritual poverty and the "poverty of spirit" that opens one to God and others. Written in a warm, conversational tone with personal reflections, it reads like an intimate journey through Francis' thought, encouraging readers to reflect on their own identity and to live with joy that attracts others to God's love. It is described as a "labor of love" that deepens understanding of personalist philosophy while making Francis' insights approachable for a general Catholic audience.

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Chapter Titles

1.The Pope's Interview

2. Apostolic Exhortation: "The Joy of the Gospel"

3. Insights from Personalism

4. A Revolution of Love

5. Consumerism: The Objectification of Persons

6. A Most Important Encyclical

7. Mercy

Key Points

Profound Personalism -- Pope Francis offers a rich philosophy of the human person centered on dignity, relationality, and encounter; every person is a unique "thou" beloved by God, not an isolated individual or object.Love as the Foundation of Personhood -- Authentic personhood and relationships are built on love, the "heart" enables true bonding, overcomes fragmentation, and opens us to God and others. Without it, society becomes "heartless," narcissistic, and closed to the divine.Poverty of Spirit -- True freedom and openness come through spiritual poverty--humility, detachment from self-centeredness, and receptivity to God's grace--echoing Francis' emphasis on the poor and a "poor Church for the poor."God's Loving Presence -- An uplifting, joyful thread runs throughout: God is always present in love; reflecting on this identity as beloved children fills readers with joy that radiates to others and draws them toward faith.Countering Modern Ills -- Addresses narcissism, individualism, technology-driven isolation, and loss of desire for healthy relationships; Francis' vision promotes a "civilization of love" and healthier community.Integration of Philosophy and Faith -- Blends personalist thinkers (e.g., Buber, Marcel) with existential insights and Catholic theology; Lauder connects Francis' pastoral approach to deep philosophical roots while keeping it practical and inspirational.Reflective and Pastoral Tone -- Encourages personal meditation on who we are in God's eyes; ideal for spiritual reading, faith formation, or understanding the heart of Francis' papacy.Overall Message -- By embracing our identity as beloved and living in spiritual poverty/openness, we experience profound freedom, joy, and the ability to build authentic relationships with God and neighbor.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933066199
• ISBN13: 9781933066196
• Release Date: January 2017
• Publisher: Resurrection Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.2"