Vatican to Publish Pope Francis’s 30-Year Private Diary in November
The Vatican Publishing House announced that 'The Private Diary of Pope Francis' will be released on November 24, 2026. The 160-page book compiles personal notes written by the late pontiff from December 1992 to August 2024, edited by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández. It will be published simultaneously in five languages across 94 countries, offering insights into the inner life of the Argentine pope who led the Church from 2013 until his death in April 2025.
Key points
- The diary covers a period from December 20, 1992, to August 18, 2024, spanning Bergoglio's time as auxiliary bishop, archbishop of Buenos Aires, cardinal, and pope.
- Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, edited and annotated the notes for publication.
- The book is described as 'appunti' or notes/observations, distinct from a formal spiritual autobiography, and is expected to reveal intimate hopes, fears, and prayers.
- Pope Francis had previously indicated he intended to destroy his most intimate notes, suggesting the published material was selected for public release.
- The publication is a collaboration between the Vatican Publishing House and Image, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, with simultaneous releases in five languages.
Background
This release follows the recent publication of writings by current Pope Leo XIV and precedes a weeklong conference in Rome where bishops will review the implementation of Pope Francis’s 2016 document 'The Joy of Love.' The diary's publication adds to the ongoing legacy of Francis, whose policies on divorce and archives have recently been revisited or reversed by his successor, Leo XIV.
Why it matters
The publication provides a rare, direct window into the personal thoughts and spiritual journey of Pope Francis, a figure who significantly reshaped the Catholic Church's approach to social issues and internal governance. As the first pope to leave such a comprehensive personal record for public consumption, the diary may influence theological and historical understanding of his pontificate and the transition to Pope Leo XIV's leadership.
What to watch
The book is scheduled for release on November 24, 2026, in five languages across 94 countries. It will be previewed at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Vatican observers anticipate significant global interest in the contents of the notes, which span nearly three decades of the late pope's life.
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