The pontiff has confirmed the existence of documents relating to scandals in the Catholic Church
Pope Francis has revealed that he inherited a “large white box” filled with documents detailing “abuse” and “dark dealings” in the Catholic Church when he took over from his predecessor Benedict XVI.
The revelation features in the pontiff’s autobiography, Spera (Hope), co-written by Italian author Carlo Musso. The book was released on Tuesday and, according to its publisher Mondadori, is the first time a sitting Pope has written such a personal chronicle, although Francis has published other memoir-style works in the past.
Francis became Pope in 2013 following the unexpected resignation of Benedict XVI, who was the first pontiff in almost 600 years to step down, citing deteriorating health. Traditionally, a new Pope assumes office following the death of his predecessor, but Benedict’s departure placed the Argentinean in an almost unprecedented position of having an in-person handover when he took office.
“He gave me a large white box,” Francis writes, recalling his visit to Benedict at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence near Rome, shortly after his election. “‘Everything is in here,’ he told me. ‘Documents relating to the most difficult and painful situations. Cases of abuse, corruption, dark dealings, wrongdoings,’” he said, according to The Guardian.
It is reportedly the first time the Pope has publicly acknowledged the existence of the white box.
Benedict then told him the box contained documents about the actions he had taken and the people he had “removed,” adding that it was now Francis’ turn.
“I have continued along his path,” the pontiff said in his book.
Benedict, who died in December 2022, left a mixed legacy behind as his papacy was marred by sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.
The last year of Benedict’s tenure was further smeared by the ‘Vatileaks’ scandal – a series of leaks which exposed allegations of corruption, internal conflicts, and financial mismanagement within the Vatican.
In his book, Francis also advocates for greater female involvement in ecclesiastical life, saying “the Church is female – it is not male,” although he ruled out women becoming priests.
The 88-year-old pontiff also recalls his youth in Buenos Aires, Argentina, including a fight with a fellow student who “even lost his senses” after hitting his head when thrown to the ground, according to CNN.
Even as leader of the Catholic Church, Francis admits he is still committing “mistakes and sins.”
The memoir also recounts pivotal moments in his papacy, including two assassination attempts during his 2021 visit to Iraq.
