From joy and hope to despair; from the role of the parish to the economy: Pope Francis’ first crafted papal document was released this week, and is as wide-ranging as predicted. Here we publish extracts from his apostolic exhortation The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly born anew. In this exhortation, I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelisation marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent ye