Pope Francis held a private audience in Rome last week for twelve children whose letters and drawings appear in his first and only children's book: DEAR POPE FRANCIS, on-sale March 1st by Loyola Press. Get the book here amzn.to/1Qq73gA

Pope Francis held a private audience in Rome last week for twelve children whose letters and drawings appear in his first and only children's book: DEAR POPE FRANCIS, on-sale March 1st by Loyola Press. Get the book here amzn.to/1Qq73gA

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Last week in Rome, Pope Francis held a private audience for twelve of the children whose letters and drawings appear in his first and only children’s book, DEAR POPE FRANCIS: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World (Loyola Press; March 1, 2016; hardcover). The children who met with Pope Francis hail from China, Argentina, Belgium, Australia, Singapore, Kenya, the United States, Canada, the Philippines, India, and Ireland. And in the private meeting, they each presented Pope Francis with gifts from their homeland, sang him a song, and had the opportunity to ask him questions in person. In exchange, Pope Francis greeted and blessed them individually and presented them with a copy of the book. The children were also treated to a tour of Rome, along with members of their family.

DEAR POPE FRANCIS consists of the Pope’s personal responses to thirty hand-written letters and drawings from children ages six to thirteen from every region of the globe. The global scope of the book is unprecedented. Six continents and twenty-six countries are represented and while each region demonstrates its unique aesthetic sensibilities, many common themes and concerns emerge in the book: intense love for Pope Francis and curiosity about his life; concerns about the afterlife; a strong sense of justice, both social and theological; the importance of family; and a longing to be seen and heard. When first presented with the questions, Pope Francis remarked, “But these are tough questions!”

With DEAR POPE FRANCIS, the pope reveals that even small children have big questions about the world—and beyond. Developed as an international Jesuit project, DEAR POPE FRANCIS will be published simultaneously by twelve Jesuit publishers in eleven countries. It is a book that transcends age and religion and will leave readers feeling hopeful and inspired.

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