'The Joy of the Gospel' (Evangelii Gaudium) available soon in hardcover

Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 25, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pope Francis is an evangelist, someone who spreads the good news about God's love for us in Jesus Christ. Francis' humble, compassionate style and direct, yet thoughtful, manner of speaking has won him an audience among Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

In his The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium), Pope Francis challenges all Christians to participate in the work of evangelizing -- of sharing Christ's love with others. This book is Francis' first Apostolic Exhortation, a teaching document on a particular theme to encourage and challenge people. The Joy of the Gospel addresses the key subjects of the recent Synod of Bishops, which focused on the New Evangelization, an essential topic for the recent popes.

Ignatius Press is slated to release the book as a high-quality, hardcover, deluxe edition in December.

"Pope Francis is an evangelist extraordinaire," said Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley. "He challenges us to grow in faith and to share our faith with others. That's what the 'joy of the Gospel' is all about. Ignatius Press is honored to make available Pope Francis' first apostolic exhortation in this special deluxe edition."

The highly anticipated The Joy of the Gospel will answer a number of evangelization-related questions, including: How to foster conversion in the Church in order to make her people more faithful and effective in communicating God's love to others? Why is the place of missions in the modern world? What are the obstacles believers' own lives sometimes place in the way of others' coming to faith? What are the questions people have about faith? What attitudes make it hard for people to be receptive to the Christian message? How does Jesus answer the most fundamental questions of human existence? Is there a difference between evangelizing and proselytizing, between proposing faith and imposing it?

Pope Francis' presentation of the Gospel is both timeless and timely. He proclaims the perennial Christian message in ways that engage the contemporary world. He calls upon all followers of Jesus to be humble and yet bold in sharing the Gospel with others and to embody that teaching in their own lives.

For more information, to request review copies or to schedule an interview with Mark Brumley, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.