The Name of God Is Mercy

A series of the same words in 20+ different languages in Pope Francis' own handwriting opens this book. All the phrases simply mean: "The Name of God is mercy!", "El nombre de Dios es misericordia!", and on and on. In disarmingly down-to-earth phrases, words and examples, Pope Francis movingly demonstrates how simple mercy, human kindness and forgiveness are at the very heart of the message of Jesus. Consequently, they must be demonstrably the transforming Good News the Church proclaims and lives in honoring and respecting the dignity of every person and all creation. In this way, all things - and our world! - can truly become new. This book is moving, profound and yet readily accesible to and potentially transformative for everyone who reads it irrespective of their particular religious faith or lack thereof. It certainly was a blessing to me and powerfully ushers in the Jubilee Year of Mercy!

What a wonderful, simple, yet inspiring communication. It is not really a book in the classic sense of a book, but more an extended interview. Regardless, pope Francis' view that one has to recognize a Christian by ones actions, not the rules he/she is willing to follow, permeates his answers. Pope Francis reminds us that God became one of us to role model mercy, even if it meant death on a cross. His call to follow Christ and demonstrate unconditional mercy in all we do to all we meet sounds reasonable, maybe easy to do, but in reality it is transformational. So many of us are stuck in following the rules and regulations of the society will live in, of the religious denomination we belong to, that we have forgotten to show mercy, at all times. This is great reading for all men and women of good faith.

Only have read the beginning but I can tell I'm going to love it!

It feels a little bit awkward writing a review on a book written by the Pope and which serves as a nice element in any Catholic home that can be a reflection on the year of mercy for the church. In thinking about different audiences for this book, I do think it is worthwhile to mention that this truly is a book for someone who is a member of the Catholic Church and has some familiarity with its teachings. This book does a wonderful job introducing the concept of mercy and explaining why the Pope has sought out mercy as a cornerstone of the Church for this upcoming year.I just wanted to discuss a bit my own perception getting the book, not really aware of it, or what it was going to talk about; there are some kinks in the format or at least format surrounding dialogue that were rough for me. I really thought that the book format was going to be true to an interview style, which I perceive as almost conversational and informal, but the book really is not that way. Not at all, so, if you're not familiar with the book or the content, maybe this review can help you out...The format is that there is a question, which I believe the interviewer is asking, and then the Pope’s response is typically structured with some placement or reference back to a historical document, a prior pieces of Catechism, and/or early church theologian. Then there is a brief personal example (usually), and then maybe a question on a pressing church topic. (Yes, the Pope does discuss homosexuality, highlights the individual should be the focus, not the sexual act, same as said before.)I understand if this is how the Pope “truly” engages in conversation, but it seems really contrived. Not that the answers are insincere or that they are made-up, but it’s hard to feel an individual personal conversation with the Pope through the book based on the format that makes it a bit distance. It could also be the rigidness of translation that may cause some of that warmth to be lost? There is also an abruptness to some of the stories and reflections that can leave you wondering, “But…what…now,” such as the Pope discussing a religious order individual charging money for annulments or not allowing unbaptized deceased children in the church. It seems to be very structured mini-snippets and is stepped in church doctrine.I recognize for those who maybe familiar with Catholic Church publications and Catechisms that this may seem standard fair, but for those who are a bit more of a lay person, or someone who may not be Catholic and respect some of the conversations that the Pope has had in recent months, this probably isn’t a good book to get that sense of warmth and narrative you may be looking for or thought was in this book. There are specific parts in which the Pope identifies that he is talking to those who have taken Holy Orders, or exist as Confessors to the population, which kind of highlights it may not be for standard casual reading in which I was kind of looking for when I got it.Overall, it is a beautiful read on the context of mercy and why the Catholic Church is spending this year celebrating the mercy of God. It is a call to the laity and those who have taken Holy Orders about why the members of the Church may need some layers of mercy and how God is unending in the mercy that He grants. The division of the book, into fairly short and simple chapters allows for them to be easily digested in one sitting and allow for reflection in a specific space of time, which is nice.

"Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope." ~ Pope Francis"The Name of God is Mercy" is a short book containing an interview with Pope Francis about mercy, compassion and forgiveness. There is also a letter at the end if you want a more in depth look at mercy.I found this book to be inspirational and a beautiful warm loving message of hope. Pope Francis believes that the message of mercy is Jesus' most important message to humanity. He also talks about sin as a wound, not a stain on our souls. I felt Pope Francis presents a wise and encouraging message about not judging other people. That is what Jesus taught too. Pope Francis seems to have a sensitivity to the condition of the human soul and I came away from this book realizing the wonder of God's forgiveness.I also felt this book was a plea to Christians as he says: "Let us open our eyes and see the misery of the world..." The message is profound and I feel this book will open hearts and inspire people to return to God the Father.There is a brief mention of praying to Mary and praying for the dead. I do not know enough information about these practices to comment on them. Otherwise this book seems written for all Christians, not just Catholics.~The Rebecca Review

This is a book for all, those who doubt or question, those who accept with faith. In his words, Pope Francis describes for each of us, a God, a Father, who is not only approachable, but who loves beyond all measure and who patiently waits for us to seek Him, and to realize it is in our weakness, our sinfulness, that we receive, without our even asking, His mercy. We only have to ask His forgiveness, because He can not not forgive, not be merciful. The Pope perfectly explains a God who is at once All-Just and All-Merciful.I have already purchased this book in hard copy to give to my children, for it is something we all need to read over and over, each time finding new depth and understanding in Francis' words.