The favorite writer of Pope Francisco
Fyodor Dostoevsky: The writer who shaped Pope's soul.
Today, the world mourns the loss of Pope Francisco, a man who not only led with humility but read with heart.
As tributes pour in from around the world, there's something beautiful — and very human — that many people don’t know about him: Pope Francisco had a favorite author who deeply shaped his way of seeing the world.
That author was Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Why Dostoevsky?
Pope Francisco often mentioned Dostoevsky in interviews, speeches, and writings.
He once said, “For me, Dostoevsky is the greatest. He teaches us so much about the human heart.”
It's not hard to understand why.
Dostoevsky, the Russian novelist behind The Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment, and The Idiot, explored the darkest corners of the soul — and the light that somehow still shines there.
He wrote about sin, redemption, suffering, compassion, and grace — themes that Pope Francisco carried into his teachings every day.
A Pope who read with compassion
Reading Dostoevsky isn't easy. His characters are complex, tortured, searching for something bigger than themselves.
But that’s exactly what Pope Francisco loved about him.
In many ways, Francisco saw the world through a Dostoevskian lens: aware of suffering, but never without hope; realistic about human weakness, but endlessly merciful.
During one of his talks, Pope Francisco even said he admired Dostoevsky’s ability to show “how beauty can save the world” — a reference to a famous line from The Idiot.
What we can learn from Francisco' favorite writer
If you want to honor or know more about Pope Francisco today, maybe the best way is simple: read a little Dostoevsky.
Not just to understand the Russian author, but to understand the Pope’s heart.
Because through Dostoevsky, Francisco found a vision of humanity that was wounded, messy, complex — and infinitely worthy of love.
Here’s where you might start:
The Brothers Karamazov — a powerful novel about doubt, faith, and forgiveness.
The Idiot — a story about a man so good and pure that society thinks he’s crazy.
Notes from Underground — a deep dive into the soul’s darker struggles.
Pope Francisco taught us many things about kindness, humility, and mercy. But maybe, through his love of Dostoevsky, he also left us one last lesson:
To truly love the world, you must first understand its wounds.
And once you do — you can help heal them, one small act of compassion at a time.
Rest in peace, Pope Francisco. Your love for books, people, and the broken beauty of the world will not be forgotten.