1st Edition
The Political Theology of Pope Francis Understanding the Latin American Pope
This book explores the political dimension of Pope Francis’ theology from a variety of perspectives and makes a unique contribution to the ongoing historiography of his pontificate. It defines the concept of political theology when applied to Pope Francis’ discourse and reflects on the portrayal of him as the voice of Latin America, a great reformer and a revolutionary. The chapters offer a thorough investigation of core texts and key moments in Pope Francis’ papacy (2013-), focusing in particular on their relation to canon theory, liberation theology, the rise of populism, and gender issues. As well as documenting some of the continuities between the ideas of Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI, the author asks what the Argentinian pontiff has brought from Latin America and considers the Latin American dimension to what has become known as the ‘Francis effect’. Overall, the book demonstrates how the Pope’s words and actions constitute a powerful political theology disseminated from a unique religious and institutional position. It will be of interest to scholars of theology, religion, and politics, particularly those with a focus on world Catholicism, political theology, and church history.
1 Introduction
2 The canonical ecology of Pope Francis – a comparison with Benedict XVI
3 Pope Francis and liberation theology – a conflict solved
4 Pope Francis and populism – resemblances and differences
5 The eternal feminine in the Catholic church – a gender perspective on Pope Francis
6 The non-historical Jesus of Pope Francis’ political theology
Conclusion
Biography
Ole Jakob Løland is an associate professor of religion, worldviews, and ethics at the University of South-Eastern Norway.
