Vatican and Penguin to publish Pope Francis's private diaries covering 32 years of personal notes across 94 countries

Worldwide distribution and publishing agreements

The Vatican Publishing House (Libreria Editrice Vaticana) announced on 5 October 2026 that it will release the personal diaries of the late Pope Francis on 24 November 2026. The book will debut simultaneously across 94 countries in five languages, covering Italian, Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French editions. Libreria Editrice Vaticana is managing the Italian edition, while Penguin Random House will issue the Spanish, English, and Portuguese translations through imprints including Image and Debate. The French edition will be released by Editions Albin Michel. Vatican officials plan to present the book to international publishers at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which takes place between 7 and 11 October 2026. Spanish booksellers are scheduled to receive local copies on 26 November.

Scope and curation of the writings

The volume compiles private notes and spiritual reflections written by Jorge Mario Bergoglio between 20 December 1992 and 18 August 2024. The material covers over thirty years of his life, beginning during his episcopal ministry in Argentina and continuing through more than a decade of his papacy. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and a close collaborator of Francis, curated, edited, and annotated the collection. The English version was translated from the original Spanish manuscript by Sister Bernadette Reis. According to the publishers, the existence of the private diary had not been known publicly prior to the Vatican announcement.

Papal tenure and literary legacy

Francis served as the first Latin American pontiff from his election on 13 March 2013 until his death on 21 April 2025 at the age of 88, when he was succeeded by Pope Leo XIV. His papacy included visits to poorer nations with persecuted Christian minorities and outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, alongside public disputes over border policies and clerical misconduct investigations. During his lifetime, his published writings included the volume "The Name of God Is Mercy" and his autobiography "Hope", which was published a few weeks before his death. The newly announced diaries conclude in August 2024, approximately eight months before his death.

Editorial reception and commentary

Vatican officials and international publishers characterized the diary as an intimate record of the late pope's prayers, private struggles, and interior thoughts. Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, noted the significance of the publication for understanding Bergoglio's personal spiritual journey.

With this book, which we believe will be appreciated by readers all over the world, we will be able to enter even further into the inner world of the Argentine pontiff.

Lorenzo Fazzini, editorial director of Libreria Editrice Vaticana, stated that the release continues the Vatican's effort to circulate papal texts internationally, noting LEV also published writings by Robert F. Prevost from his tenure as Augustinian prior general. Gilles Haeri, president of Editions Albin Michel, described the diary entries as a direct continuation of Francis's autobiographical work.