When Pope Francis Saw A Jewish Psychologist
Image by Getty Images
By Josh Nathan-Kazis August 31, 2017
Pope Francis once underwent psychoanalysis with a Jewish analyst, according to a new book-length interview of the pontiff conducted by a French academic.
Francis said that he saw the psychoanalyst weekly for about six months when he was 42 years old.
It’s unclear why the pope specified the analyst’s religion. The full English-language text of the anecdote is not yet available.
Francis went to see the psychoanalyst “to clarify certain things,” he said. Francis said that analyst was “a very good person who helped me very much.”
If the pope’s memory is correct, he would have seen the analyst in the late 1970s. He was at the time a senior Jesuit priest living in Argentina.
The book, published in France as “Politique et société,” consists of an unedited interview between Francis and Dominique Wolton, a prominent French sociologist.
Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at [email protected] or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
