ARTICOLI
FERENC PATSCH S.I., Introduzione
HUMBERTO MIGUEL YÁÑEZ S.I., La rivoluzione della tenerezza, la teologia morale e la spiritualità
This paper examines the magisterium of pope Francis through the concept of the “revolution of tenderness,” identifying mercy as its unifying principle. Through key documents of the pontificate, mercy emerges as a hermeneutical criterion for understanding God’s action and the mission of the Church. This perspective entails a renewal of moral theology oriented toward a pastoral approach attentive to human fragility and the discernment of concrete situations. Within this framework, a spirituality of mercy also emerges, characterized by an incarnational faith and the care of relationships.
ALPO PENTINNEN, When an Epoch Changes – On the Spiritual Legacy of Pope Francis for the Global Church
This article examines the spiritual legacy of pope Francis through the category of “change of epoch,” a notion frequently invoked by the late Pontiff. After situating the Franciscan epochal shift historically in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council and the consequent renewal of Catholic theology, the concept of style is presented as an appropriate methodological tool to consider Francis’s papacy. The article then demonstrates how theological stylistics sheds light on the profound significance of the Franciscan change of epoch for the globalizing Church and the new style of theological reflection required in the wake of secularization. In sum, pope Francis gave unprecedented spiritual impetus to a theological thinking that seeks both to remain deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition and to move forward with an open and creative mind.
EMILCE CUDA, Doctrina Social de la Iglesia y teología del pueblo
The article proposes a reinterpretation of Pope Francis’s social teaching, questioning its identification with the Theology of the People. It argues that this is not a distinct theology but rather a theologal way of proclaiming the Gospel with the people, rooted in the Second Vatican Council and the Church’s Social Doctrine. Central to this approach is communal social discernment as a spiritual process of the People of God oriented toward justice. Pope Francis’s originality thus lies in the way he does theology, rather than in its content.
GIANNI LA BELLA, Papa Francesco e la proposta della Compagnia nella Chiesa in uscita
This article interprets the pontificate of pope Francis as a significant moment in the recent history of the Church, marked by a renewed emphasis on mercy and by the vision of a missionary “Church going forth,” less self-referential and more outward-looking. Within this framework, the relationship with the Society of Jesus takes on particular importance: Jesuits are entrusted with the task of fostering spiritual discernment and supporting the development of synodality. Peter Faber is presented as an exemplary figure of a restless, dialogical spirituality, capable of engaging the frontiers of the contemporary world and offering a meaningful model for Jesuit identity today.
STUDI E RICERCHE
PETER MUSTO, L’arte di perdonare e chiedere perdono
The text addresses forgiveness as a process involving both inner life and interpersonal relationships. Forgiving and asking for forgiveness are presented not as immediate acts, but as paths that require engagement with pain, suspension of judgment, and attention to relational dynamics. Through biblical references and experiential reflections, the text highlights the role of silence and prayer in making reconciliation possible.
RIFLESSIONI E TESTIMONIANZE
L’eredità spirituale di papa Francesco. Intervista a José Luis Narvaja
This interview presents an informal conversation with José Luis Narvaja S.I., offering a direct and personal perspective on Pope Francis. Through personal memories, references to his Jesuit background, and key insights into his pontificate, a portrait emerges marked by the centrality of Christ, attention to processes, and a gaze shaped by the peripheries. The result is a concise testimony that sheds light on essential aspects of his pastoral and spiritual approach.
