Deluxe Edition of 1st Encyclical Due Next Month

Ignatius Press is slated to release Pope Francis' first encyclical as a hardcover, deluxe edition in August, in time for the fall celebrations of the Year of Faith. The encyclical, "Lumen Fidei," was released by the Vatican today.

“Ignatius Press is honored and delighted to publish Pope Francis’ first encyclical in a special hardcover edition and to get it before the reading public,” said Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley. “This follows what we did with Pope Benedict’s encyclicals and other works.”

In The Light of Faith, Francis draws on key themes of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who wrote encyclicals on charity and hope. Benedict intended to complete the set with a reflection on faith, which would also have underscored the Year of Faith that he launched. However, his history-making retirement meant he was unable to finish his encyclical. Francis took up the draft left by his Predecessor, adding his own insights, themes and emphases to the work.

According to Francis, The Light of Faith is a “four-hand document.” Pope Benedict, Francis notes, “handed it to me, it is a strong document. He did the great amount of work.” 

Thus, although officially The Light of Faith (Lumen Fidei) is Francis' encyclical and reflects his teaching ministry, it also reflects the work of Pope Emeritus Benedict.