Cardinal Parolin underlines the "spiritual consonance" between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI

Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote an introduction to a book describing the continuity between Pope Francis and his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The book, published on September 1, is titled "One Church Only", which means "One Church Only". It is a collection of papal catecheses that combines the words of Pope Francis and Benedict XVI on more than 10 different topics, including faith, holiness and marriage.

“In the case of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, the natural continuity of the papal magisterium has a unique feature: the presence of a pope emeritus in prayer alongside his successor,” Parolin wrote in the introduction.

The Vatican Secretary of State underlined both the "spiritual consonance of the two popes and the diversity of their style of communication".

"This book is an indelible sign of this intimate and profound closeness, presenting the voices of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis side by side on crucial issues," he said.

In his introduction, Parolin said that Pope Francis' closing speech at the 2015 Synod on the family included quotes from Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict.

The cardinal made an example of this to express that "the continuity of the papal magisterium is the path followed and made by Pope Francis, who in the most solemn moments of his pontificate always referred to the example of his predecessors".

Parolin also described the "living affection" that exists between the pope and the pope emeritus, citing Benedict who told Francis on June 28, 2016: "Your goodness, evident from the moment of your election, has continually impressed me, and it supports my inner life a lot. The Vatican Gardens, even for all their beauty, are not my real home: my real home is your goodness ”.

The 272-page book was published in Italian by Rizzoli press. The director of the collection of papal speeches was not disclosed.

The Vatican Secretary of State called the book a "manual on Christianity", adding that it touches on the themes of faith, the Church, the family, prayer, truth and justice, mercy and love.

"The spiritual consonance of the two popes and the diversity of their communicative style multiply perspectives and enrich the experience of readers: not only the faithful but all the people who, in an age of crisis and uncertainty, recognize the Church as a capable voice to speak to human needs and aspirations, ”he said.