Pope Francis has revealed that upon his election as the head of the Catholic Church in 2013, he inherited a large white box filled with crucial documents from his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. This disclosure comes from Pope Francis’ much-anticipated autobiography, Spera (Hope), published on January 14, 2025.
The significant moment occurred shortly after Pope Francis was elected. He visited Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence located south of Rome, where Benedict handed over the box containing what Francis described as “documents relating to the most difficult and painful situations.” The documents included details on various scandals, such as abuse cases, corruption, and other allegations of wrongdoing that had plagued the Church. Benedict reportedly told Francis, “I have arrived this far, taken these actions, removed these people. Now it’s your turn.”
While Pope Francis does not specify the contents of the box, nor does he elaborate on the specific scandals or actions taken by Benedict or himself, the revelation shines a light on the challenges Pope Francis faced when assuming leadership. Benedict’s papacy, which ended with his historic resignation in February 2013, was overshadowed by numerous controversies, most notably the sexual abuse scandals within the Church, as well as the Vatileaks scandal involving corruption and internal conflicts within the Vatican.
Despite Pope Francis’ continued efforts to address and resolve the Church’s scandals, the contents of the box remain a mystery. The revelation of the box in Hope is the first time Pope Francis has publicly mentioned it, though there had been reports of its existence following Benedict’s resignation. The autobiography also delves into other aspects of Francis’ papacy, including his views on gender roles within the Church and his condemnation of clericalism.
Pope Francis also reflects on his election process, describing the moment when his name was announced for the papacy. He recounts the spontaneous applause that followed and shares how he felt overwhelmed by the event. In Hope, Pope Francis also discusses his personal reflections on the role of women in the Church, stressing the need to ensure they are more fully involved in the ecclesiastical and social spheres. However, he reiterates that women will not be allowed to become priests, emphasizing the importance of deconstructing the “masculinization” of the Church.
The autobiography provides a unique, personal look at the challenges and complexities Pope Francis faced in his leadership role. While the mysteries surrounding the box of documents remain, the narrative offers insights into the ongoing efforts to address past scandals and reform the Church.
Pope Francis also discusses a near-miss during a visit to Iraq in 2021 when a double suicide bombing attempt was foiled by British intelligence and Iraqi police, highlighting the precarious nature of his papacy.
