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Pope Francis writes his first book

Pope Francis

Pope Francis has written his first book and correspondent Christopher Cruise says it will be available beginning this week in 86 countries. The 100-page book is a conversation with Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli, welcoming repentant sinners over self-righteous moralizers. Keeping to pastoral themes of love and compassion, the book, The Name of God Is Mercy, condemns what Francis calls the “scholars of law,” the doctrinaire-minded rigorists who throughout the history of the church have challenged Jesus’ message of unconditional love and mercy. The Pontiff has rankled many conservatives with his frequent dismissals of theological and legalistic arguments, stressing doctrine over his more pastoral message of welcome and mercy for society’s most marginal. The clash in approaches has been particularly evident in recent church debates regarding marriage and divorce.