The Joy of the Gospel

A call to live a life motivated by divine love and, in turn, to experience heaven on earth—with a foreword by Robert Barron and an afterword by James Martin, SJ.

“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. . . . In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.”—Pope Francis

Pope Francis’s popular message of hope explores themes that are important for believers in the twenty-first century. Examining the many obstacles to faith and what can be done to overcome those hurdles, he emphasizes the importance of service to God and all his creation. Advocating for “the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned,” the Holy Father shows us how to respond to poverty and current economic challenges that affect us locally and globally.

Profound in its insight, yet warm and accessible in its tone, The Joy of the Gospel ultimately demonstrates how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small.”