The Concept of “Mystery” in the Teaching of Pope Francis

Abstract

The study examines the concept of “mystery” in Pope Francis’s teaching, with particular attention to its liturgical, theological, and existential dimensions. Its starting point is the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council, which understands the Church and the liturgy as sacramental manifestations of the Paschal mystery. In the teachings of Pope Francis, mystery appears as the experience of God’s self-giving love, revealing the deep connections between the human person, the Church, the world, and the history of salvation. In the apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi, the Pope presents the liturgy as the place of entry into the Paschal mystery. The main conclusion of the study is that Pope Francis’s understanding of mystery is not theoretical, but existential experience: the silent wonder of faith from which the life-shaping liturgy of the Church flows.

ove, revealing the deep connections between the human person, the Church, the world, and the history of salvation. In the apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi, the Pope presents the liturgy as the place of entry into the Paschal mystery. The main conclusion of the study is that Pope Francis’s understanding of mystery is not theoretical, but existential experience: the silent wonder of faith from which the lifehaping liturgy of the Church flows.