--- title: "Sitting Down with Pope Francis: On Heaven and Earth" description: "Sitting Down with Pope Francis: On Heaven and Earth" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/07/12/sitting-down-with-pope-francis-on-heaven-and-earth#) # Sitting Down with Pope Francis: On Heaven and Earth Jul 12, 2013 12:00:48 PM  |  by [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) [![CatholicMom-booknotes-logo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CatholicMom-booknotes-logo-550x169-291.jpg?width=550&height=169&name=CatholicMom-booknotes-logo-550x169-291.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/?attachment_id=40160) When I got my hands on a copy of **[On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family, and the Church in the Twenty-First Century](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0770435068/catholicmom)**, I knew I'd be reading it. I assumed I'd be whipping through it (which, yes, is *always* my assumption). I was wrong. I actually read it rather slowly, and it was like chocolate melting slowly on my mind as I soaked it in and resolved to reread it someday. ![cover-onheavenandearth](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-onheavenandearth.jpeg?width=183&height=275&name=cover-onheavenandearth.jpeg) The book is a conversation between Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) and Rabbi Abraham Skorka. They consider a variety of topics in 29 chapters, from abortion and euthanasia to God, the devil, and atheists. They discuss guilt and prayer, death and divorce, women and politics. ![OnHeavenEarth-pin5-300x300](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/OnHeavenEarth-pin5-300x300.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=OnHeavenEarth-pin5-300x300.jpg) Did you ever sit nearby while your parents or other adults had important conversations nearby? I catch myself as the conversation-holder now with my nieces or children around. And I remember how that listening shaped me, forced me to think and reason, taught me the value of dialog (as opposed to debate). This book is a written version of that back-and-forth, and when it's done, you have a real sense of Pope Francis's voice, of his grounding, of his love. I had zero interest in some of the topics until I started reading their conversation. I found myself highlighting as much of Skorka's comment as I did Bergoglio's. I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful a read this book is. It made me consider the true function not only of having dialog but also of reading this sort of work or listening to the back-and-forth of wise and learned people. It gave me a sense of who Pope Francis truly is. He's a man with friends and he's not afraid of facing the tough topics head-on and talking about that. A highly recommended addition to your home library and a book that would make a great gift for just about anyone in your life. Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/). ***Copyright 2013, Sarah Reinhard*** ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F07%2F12%2Fsitting-down-with-pope-francis-on-heaven-and-earth%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F07%2F12%2Fsitting-down-with-pope-francis-on-heaven-and-earth%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F07%2F12%2Fsitting-down-with-pope-francis-on-heaven-and-earth%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Sitting%20Down%20with%20Pope%20Francis%3A%20On%20Heaven%20and%20Earth) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F07%2F12%2Fsitting-down-with-pope-francis-on-heaven-and-earth%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F07%2F12%2Fsitting-down-with-pope-francis-on-heaven-and-earth%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SARAH%20REINHARD.jpeg) ### [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one … more … chapter. She writes and works in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. She is part of the team for the award-winning *Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion*, as well as the author of [a number of books](http://sarahreinhard.com/my-books/). ## Related Blog Articles [ Catholic Techie Sam Rocha Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/07/15/catholic-techie-sam-rocha) [ Book Talk and Great Reads #showusyourlist Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/02/17/book-talk-and-great-reads-showusyourlist) [ My iPad Prayer Book Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/05/27/my-ipad-prayer-book) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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