Pope Francis and the theology of the people

To understand Pope Francis’ theological and pastoral options, and the turn of the Catholic Church during his Papacy, it is necessary to delve into the Theology of the People , born in the Latin American Church, and known by assuming the centrality of the option for the poor that comes from the Document of Medellín (the Second General Bishop’s Conference of Latin America in 1968) though Aparecida (the Seventh General Bishop’s Conference of Latin America in 2007). This option is practised by Francis through his view of a ‘Poor Church and for the Poor’, inspiring not only his process of ecclesial reforms but also his geopolitics (cf. Luciani 2017 : Chap. 3). Elements of this theological and ecclesial frame challenge assumptions about postsecular society, while integrating social and civil movements with the Church’s evangelizing mission in the world. This novelty in Francis’ papacy leads towards a major dialogue and collaboration between the church and all those people and movements who struggle for human rights, democracy, and social justice.