OAKLAND, CA— In his 2015 encyclical, Pope Francis called for an open dialogue about poverty and the destiny of what he calls “our common home.” This invitation is the inspiration for the new Independent Institute book, Pope Francis and the Caring Society.

With a foreword by the late Catholic scholar Michael Novak, the book respectfully examines the Pope’s views on poverty, charity and the environment from the intersection of theologians, economists, and environmentalists.

What does one of the most popular Popes in modern history have to say to us about poverty, the environment, and family issues? And does what he says line up with traditional Christian teachings and the social and economic record? In the deluge of books by and about Francis we finally have a careful and reliable discussion about these topics by renowned experts in religion, history, economics, and related fields.

The book’s editor, Independent Institute Research Fellow and Wake Forest University economics professor Robert M. Whaples says, “There is a clear need for dialogue between Pope Francis and economists because the Pope and many in the economics profession do not see eye to eye at a fundamental level on many issues.”

This fascinating and informative volume belongs in the hands of anyone interested in creating a better, more caring, and prosperous world.

The book provides an essential historical and cultural context for considering Francis’s views, along with non-bureaucratic solutions for environmental protection, a defense of Francis’s criticism of power and privilege, and the case for market-based entrepreneurship and private charity as essential for fighting poverty and creating human flourishing.

The Independent Institute is a non-profit, research and educational organization that promotes the power of independent thinking to boldly advance peaceful, prosperous, and free societies grounded in a commitment to human worth and dignity. For more information, visit www.independent.org. For media inquiries, contact Communications Manager Rob Ade: [email protected]; (510) 632-1366, ext. 114.