In December 2016, Pope Francis turns 80 years old. For bestselling author and Vatican expert Andreas Englisch, this is an opportunity to narrate the life story of this remarkable man on the Chair of Peter in a lavishly illustrated biography. Englisch highlights key moments from Jorge Mario Bergoglio's origins, his early years as a priest, and his time as a contentious bishop of Buenos Aires. He reveals the experiences and beliefs that shape the Jesuit from Argentina even as Pope: his special connection to the poor and marginalized, his message of mercy as a central commitment in following Jesus, and his assertiveness; above all, his inner freedom, which stems from independence from the Curia and Vatican networks. The book features focused texts and 212 largely unknown, mostly color photographs.