Pope Francis will release his memoir next year, in what is being described as the first autobiography to ever be published by a pontiff. “Hope” publisher Penguin Random House said in a Wednesday announcement that the book was originally expected to be published following the death of the 87-year-old head of the Catholic Church.

An Italian publisher announced the global release in January of "Hope," a book it described as Pope Francis' autobiography, which the pope apparently planned to have released only after his death.

Pope Francis plans to publish his memoirs, titled "Hope," in January 2025, the Italian publishing house responsible for the book's release said on Wednesday. The book was originally planned to be published after his death,

The original plan had been to release the memoir after his death. However, the pope decided to publish in light of the upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

Publisher Penguin Random House announced that Pope Francis will become the first sitting pontiff to ever publish a book.

Pope Francis is sharing his life story — and spreading some hope! Hope, an autobiography that took the 87-year-old pontiff six years to pen with co-writer Carlo Musso, will be published next January — just in time for the newly announced 2025 Jubilee of Hope.