Pope Francis has made no secret of the fact that he seeks to reform the Catholic Church, especially the institutional components by which it is guided and governed. Standing in his way are institutional inertia, simplistic ideologies, scandals, and the resistance of some who will not readily relinquish power. Can he pull it off?

In this smart and thoughtful book, priest-sociologist Rocco D'Ambrosio carefully considers the personality, convictions, and gifts the pope brings to the task. He explores the hurdles Francis faces, the tools at his disposal, and his prospects for success....