A revealing book recommendation from the Pope

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jan 20, 2015

Twice now, Pope Francis has recommended Robert Hugh Benson's apocalyptic novel, Lord of the World. It’s interesting that an English novel—written more than a century ago, and no longer easy to find—would figure prominently in the public remarks of a Pontiff who is not fluent in English. This bears investigation, don’t you think?

Speaking to reporters on the flight from Manila to Rome yesterday, the Pope said that those who read Benson’s novel “will understand what I mean by ideological colonization.” That’s a striking remark, too, because Lord of the World is not really about colonization; it’s about the Antichrist and the end of the world. So what is Pope Francis saying about this book?

Back in November 2013, in his homily at a morning Mass, the Pope said that the Benson novel reads today “almost as though it were a prophecy, as though he envisioned what would happen.”

Now we have two points of reference. The Pope thinks Lord of the World explains “ideological colonization” and he thinks the author anticipated what is happening in the world today. Put those ideas together, add the undeniable fact that the book is about Antichrist, and you realize that Pope Francis doesn’t have a very rosy understanding of where globalization is taking us.

If you’re inclined to take the Pope’s recommendation—and to gain some insight into his thinking in the process—you can find Lord or the World in an inexpensive paperback; the Kindle version version is free.