John XXIII College co-develop book about Pope Francis

A new book by Frank Brennan SJ AO, co-developed with John XXIII College, invites readers to engage seriously with the teaching and legacy of Pope Francis.

A gathering of students, educators and Church leaders at John XXIII College marked the launch of Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide – an event as much about the future of the Church as the book being celebrated. Written by Frank Brennan SJ AO, the book offers a clear and accessible guide to Pope Francis’ vision and its ongoing significance for the life and mission of the Church.

Alyssa Mignacca, a Year 11 student and recipient of the College’s 2025 Atticus Justice Award – which recognises students who demonstrate a commitment to justice in the spirit of the College’s motto, Seek Justice – opened the event with a thoughtful reflection on Pope Francis’ leadership. She highlighted the relevance of his teaching for those seeking a faith that is both courageous and compassionate.

Drawing on The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide, she reflected on Pope Francis as a leader who did more than speak persuasively; he acted, disrupted complacency, and was willing to cause discomfort in the pursuit of justice and authenticity.

Connecting this leadership to the frustrations faced by younger generations inheriting global crises, she argued that Pope Francis’ willingness to challenge entrenched systems should be seen as a strength rather than a flaw. Ultimately, she presented Pope Francis as a leader who invites the Church to question, to move forward rather than backward, and to re examine faith in the context of the modern world.

The keynote address was delivered by Fr Eamonn Conway, who described Pope Francis as both a disruptor and a restorer. Acknowledging the difficulty of assessing a papacy so soon after its conclusion, Fr Conway praised Fr Brennan’s book for offering a perspective grounded in both scholarship and lived experience. As a fellow Jesuit, Fr Brennan brings what Fr Conway described as an ‘inside track’ to understanding Pope Francis’ life, spirituality and leadership.

Reflecting on the purpose of the book, Fr Conway noted that Fr Brennan set out to provide a readable resource to help readers appreciate and appropriate the teaching of Pope Francis, a goal he described as having been achieved ‘both beautifully and masterfully.’ He also acknowledged the expert collaboration of Janeen Murphy, Deputy Principal Faith and Mission, who has provided each chapter with thoughtful questions to aid reflection.

Fr Brennan reflected on writing the book as a resource for Catholic education, much of it composed during his residency at John XXIII College. A concluding Q&A session, moderated by Janeen Murphy, allowed Fr Brennan and Fr Conway to expand on these themes and engage directly with the audience.

The launch was both a celebration of a book and an invitation to continue reflecting on, and living out, the vision of Pope Francis.The book can be purchased by visiting https://atfpress.com/product/pope-francis-the-disruptive-pilgrims-guide/.