Pope Francis has written the introduction to a newly published book by Don Tommaso Giannuzzi, titled "Prophets of Hope. Don Tonino Bello and Pope Francis". The book, released by Àncora publishing house, draws deeply from the reflections of both the Holy Father and the beloved Bishop of Molfetta. It seeks to explore and give a face to the theological virtue of hope—a theme that resonates profoundly in the human experience, particularly in the face of life’s greatest mystery: what lies beyond death.
Throughout history, humankind has repeatedly posed the question of what becomes of us after death. It is a question that touches every person and brings us to confront the very mystery of life. Pope Francis reflects on how no one escapes the question of mortality and how only hope—the virtue that allows humanity to look beyond its limits—can truly respond to it. He emphasizes that hope is life itself. It gives meaning to our journey and motivates us to keep moving forward, offering purpose to our existence and to our present reality.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines hope as the virtue through which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. It invites believers to place their trust not in their own abilities but in the promises of Christ and the grace of the Holy Spirit. Hope is not merely an abstract ideal but a force that shapes our longing for happiness, one that lifts us in moments of abandonment and sustains us through despair. It opens our hearts to the promise of eternal joy.
However, Pope Francis warns that the answer to our spiritual longing can sometimes be negative. Many are affected by discouragement and despair, influenced by worldly distractions and fears about the future. When hope is missing, the foundations of faith and virtue can falter. In today’s world, hope is often dismissed or mocked, reduced to clichés that rob it of its power. Yet, as Bishop Tonino Bello observed, hope should not be mistaken for a place of unmet desires. Rather, it is profoundly tied to reality—it is the strength of one who, though not yet at the destination, continues the journey with love and determination.
Hope, Pope Francis reminds us, is not earned by human merit. It is a gift—a grace rooted in the natural human desire for happiness. This grace, through the death and resurrection of Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, is implanted in every human heart. It is divine in origin, placed there by God who alone can satisfy the deepest desires of the human soul.
In his Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis reflects on how everyone understands the feeling of hope. It is a universal desire for good things to come, even amid the uncertainty of the future. This uncertainty can stir a wide range of emotions—from trust to anxiety, from peace to hesitation. Many today struggle with pessimism and cynicism, as though joy and happiness are no longer possible. Yet hope remains an invitation to believe in more.
Don Tommaso Giannuzzi's new work is deeply rooted in the teachings of Don Tonino Bello and Pope Francis. Drawing particularly from Pope’s 2017 catecheses on hope, Giannuzzi explores the theme with the aim of awakening readers to the power and beauty of this often-overlooked virtue. He describes hope as a “little girl,” echoing the words of Bishop Bello and the French poet Charles Péguy, who once wrote movingly about the fragile yet resilient nature of hope. Péguy marveled at how this small, trembling virtue could endure through every hardship, calling it “immortal” and “invincible.”
With this book, Pope Francis and Don Tommaso Giannuzzi offer a spiritual journey that invites readers to rediscover hope not as a distant dream but as a powerful grace that shapes our daily lives. It is a call to nurture that “little girl” within us—a hope that, though delicate, has the strength to carry us through life’s most difficult questions and lead us toward the light of the Risen Christ.