After the international success of Francesco Among the Wolves, the best known Italian vaticanist returns to take stock of Francesco’s pontificate in his most difficult season.

The book deals with and clarifies all the hot topics Francis is facing: from the pedophile scandal, to the open debate on the role of women in the church; from relations with Trump's America to those with the Italian government on all sensitive issues (one for all the reception of migrants), up to the relations with the Curia.

It is a tormented season. There are attacks from all sides, cardinals attacking the Pope, and atheists who support his words. An underground war is ongoing in Catholicism to put Francis, the reforming Pope, up against a wall. Priests, theologians, bloggers and cardinals conduct a systematic work of delegitimization against him, to the point of demanding his resignation and accusing him of heresy. An example above all: it is striking to think that many of the episcopal conferences in recent years have made passive resistance to the line of 'zero tolerance' advocated by Bergoglio against cases of pedophilia. The contrary front within the Church has not been the only difficult obstacle of recent years; even the international scenario has become more complex for Francis. With Trump's America there is no communication: the US president ruggedly rejects the agreements on climate and migration, which are so dear to the Pope. In Italy Matteo Salvini preaches the opposite of the pontiff when it comes to migrations, waving a rosary and buttering up the traditionalist wing of the clergy and bishops. In Eastern Europe nationalist leaders use xenophobic Christianity. Meanwhile, the Church is in trouble. Religious practice and vocations fall inexorably. Female orders have collapsed. Women are fleeing the Church, unhappy because the greater decision-making role promised them is not rolling out. Despite everything, Francis remains tenacious and continues to fight for a Church committed to justice and the common good. The twilight of the pontificate may perhaps still reserve surprises.