Bergoglio-Elected Cardinals Dominance in the Vatican: Javier Cercas Suggests Challenging Ultra-Conservative Shift; Nearly Eighty Percent of Conclave Cardinals Were Appointed by Bergoglio
Spanish author Javier Cercas, a professor of Spanish Literature and member of the Real Academia Española de la lengua, has penned numerous acclaimed works in fiction and non-fiction. Among his notable titles are "Soldiers of Salamina," "Anatomy of an Instant," "The Imposter," "The Shadow King," "Independence," "The Bluebeard Castle," "A Good Season," "Real Stories," "Ways of Hiding," "The Adventure of Writing," and "The Blind Spot." His latest offering, "The Madman of God at the End of the World," marks his foray into non-fiction narrative.
In this book, Cercas, a self-professed atheist, embarks on a spiritual journey of sorts, invited by closer associates of Pope Francis to travel with him to Mongolia. The Vatican proposed this trip for Cercas to write the book he desired without constraints. Initially surprised, Cercas seizes the opportunity to engage with the Pope on a personal level, harboring a question of personal interest - the resurrection of the flesh and eternal life.
A moving and magnetic account, Cercas' book delves into the nature of faith and cannot leave anyone indifferent. The death of Pope Francis lends an air of poignancy to the book, making it a kind of literary testament tracing Jorge Bergoglio's life, transformative will, and the present of the Catholic Church, shedding light on crucial questions about its future.
During the presentation of his new book at the Book Fair, Cercas reflects on the significance of presenting it in Buenos Aires, the city and hometown of Pope Francis. Preparing for the event, Cercas admits feeling "nervous" yet "happy," being both familiar with the Pope and aware of his substantial impact in Argentina, where the Pope's actions and decisions were often subject to local and political interpretations.
Cercas discusses the complexity of Pope Francis and the Church during the interview, clarifying that the Pope is not a political leader but a religious leader, whose political dimension should be placed in its proper context. One of the key points Cercas emphasizes in the book is the Pope's tendency to overshadow religious discourse with political manifestations.
Cercas also highlights his unique approach to source handling in the book, ensuring that each interviewee, from eminent Cardinals to Pope Francis's closest advisors, has their meaningful space to discuss their thoughts on the Pope and the Catholic Church. Indicating a non-fiction novel style, Cercas aims to integrate various genres seamlessly, including elements of journalism, biography, and autobiography.
Cercas compares the experience of working on this book to making a mess, echoing the Pope's encouragement to take risks, expressing his感激情畫 towards the opportunity granted by the Catholic Church to a non-believer and atheist. Despite the challenges, Cercas reveals that his work followed the usual pace, allowing the novelist the time to study, reflect, and craft his narrative carefully.
[1] Source: La Vanguardia article "Javier Cercas y el Papa Francisis: recursos de una conversación" - Accessed on April 2, 2023
[2] Source: El País article "El escritor Javier Cercas presentó este lunes "El loco de Dios al fin del mundo," su novedosa novela" - Accessed on April 2, 2023
- Amidst the flurry of general news and sports headlines, a book on faith and spirituality stirred an unusual conversation - "The Madman of God at the End of the World" by Javier Cercas.
- In the heart of the bustling bookstores, one might chance upon a book revealing testimonies of eminent Cardinals and Pope Francis's closest advisors - "The Madman of God at the End of the World."
- Despite being a renowned author of works from 'The Imposter' to 'Soldiers of Salamina,' Javier Cercas embarked on a different kind of journey with his recent book, blending education-and-self-development, primitive elements with sports narratives, creating a unique non-fiction novel.
- Beyond the neoconservative and political discourse surrounding faith and religion, Javier Cercas' book, "The Madman of God at the End of the World," offers compelling insights, questioning the intersection of faith and politics - a testament to the ongoing dialogue on the state and future of the Catholic Church.
