The year 2023 could easily be called the Year of Pope Francis. He has celebrated his tenth anniversary as Pontifex Maximus—the Great Bridge Builder, which is one of the many titles ascribed to popes over the centuries. Certainly this is a key feature of his pontificate, and another is the particular way in which this master builder moves from vision, to blueprint, to final construction. That methodology of course does not employ a series of papal fiats, but rather repeated invitations to all to walk together—especially those on the margins or who feel somehow “outside” of the Church.

This “walking together” in the ancient Greek of the early Church gives us the ecclesial term of “synod” (σύνοδος), literally “on the road together.” Both of the books in this review fit together and complement each other well in this signature project of Pope Francis.

Fr. Kroeger is a long-time missiologist and ecclesiologist teaching at the international theologate run by the Jesuits in Manila and he has assembled and edited into quite readable format a number of the key documents of Francis’ pontificate. In our metaphor of Synodality these documents function much like the initial roadbed of the Church’s path to tread on our pilgrimage together. While virtually all of these documents can be found on the Vatican website it is helpful to have the selection done for use in classrooms, parish study groups or personal reflection.  In chronological order the selections come from Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith, 2013). Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, 2013). Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy, 2015). Laudato Sí (On Care for Our Common Home, 2015). Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love, 2016). Gaudete et Exsultate (On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World, 2016). Christus Vivit (Christ Is Alive, 2019) ⦁ Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazon, 2020). Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship, 2020). Desiderio Desideravi (The Liturgical Formation of the People of God, 2022). The Forward by Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle gives us a masterful overview of this magisterium.

The second book builds on this foundation established and using a number of Pope Francis’ other contributions that function a bit like signposts or map markings on the synodal journey. 34 short pieces from Pope Francis giving selections of various addresses, interviews, meetings, homilies, letters, and excerpts from other more formal documents such as Apostolic Exhortation and Constitutions. These touch on a number of themes with real frankness and honesty, including some quite difficult issues—such as the April 2018 Letter to the Bishops of Chile following the report on clergy abuse submitted after the apostolic visitation by Archbishop Scicluna. These also are organized chronology, covering the period from July 2013 through October 2021.

The General Secretary of the Synod, Carinal Mario Grech, provides the Preface and Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, who made ecclesial history in her appointment as the undersecretary of the Synod with full voting rights, gives a short Introduction. The book itself would serve well for both spiritual reading and a discussion guide during the upcoming Synods.