Pope Francis, of course the first Latin American pontiff in history, has died at 88. His legacy burns brightly, written with humility, compassion, and an urgent call to reform. He was elected pope in March 2013. Almost overnight, he became a national symbol for his down-to-earth spirit and relentless commitment to the least of those among us. As president of the Latino bishops’ conference, and later the papacy, he took bold steps on social issues, frequently countering long-held Church teachings and conservative orthodoxy.
Our new pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has already stolen the world’s heart. These would include focusing on simplicity and demonstrating profound passion for the poor. What he often spoke out on was the plight of the disenfranchised. He gave tremendous energy into bringing the Church together with people who were poor. Yet his progressive ideas about the dangers of capitalism and the need to address climate change ran afoul of more conservative elements in the Church.
Yet politically, Pope Francis was at the height of the storm as he would later characterize this time as one of “great interior crisis.” Stationed in Cordoba, he started to build momentum for his vision for the Church. Stories emerged of how he imperiled his own life to save hundreds during Argentina’s “dirty war.” He provided shelter to persecuted priests, seminarians, and political dissidents.
A Champion for Inclusivity
Pope Francis made important strides on the matter of inclusivity within the Catholic faith. Under his leadership, the Vatican grabbed international headlines by appointing women to vote with bishops sitting in periodic Vatican meetings. A lot of individuals were delighted to see this action be historic. Beyond that, he made it easier for married Catholics to obtain annulments, demonstrating his pastoral sensitivity to the realities of modern family life.
His approach to sensitive issues even included women having had abortions. In a groundbreaking decision, Pope Francis permitted priests to absolve them of their sins, which was seen as a compassionate gesture aimed at healing wounds within the faithful community. Furthermore, he authorized the blessing of churches to same-sex couples, a radical change in the Church’s position and lead on LGBTQ+ issues.
“For Pope Francis, the goal was always to extend the arms of the church to embrace all people, not to exclude anyone.” – Cardinal Kevin Farrell
These decisions were not without controversy. In doing so, many conservatives inside the Church made it clear that they were unhappy with his progressive policies. We are grateful that when the chips were down, Pope Francis held to his conviction. He preached for balance—to face the Church’s current realities while remaining faithful to its center.
Addressing Past Wrongs
In a historic advance, Pope Francis delivered an apology of his own to Indigenous peoples. He admitted to the abuses perpetrated by the Church in the course of colonial history. Pope Francis’ invitation of this acknowledgement grew from his larger movement to open paths for reconciliation and healing among communities impacted by the scars of historical violence. He wanted to create conversations and build relationships of trust between the Church and the marginalized.
During his papacy, Pope Francis took up these causes as well, calling for immediate action to mitigate climate change and other environmental catastrophes. He was convinced that nurturing creation is a moral responsibility. He called on leaders around the world to be bold and courageous in their actions to defend our planet.
“I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.” – Pope Francis
His focus on healing went beyond environmental justice. He often described the Church as a “field hospital after battle,” highlighting the need for compassion and support for those suffering from various forms of hardship.
Navigating Challenges
Yet this is exactly what Pope Francis decided to do during his tenure, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Shepherding a global religion through an isolated Vatican City—his personal solution to the pandemic—called for flexibility and creative imagination. He provided comfort to millions who were suddenly cut off and scared, providing virtual masses and messages of hope.
Besides performing basic acts of spiritual care during the pandemic, He has implemented changes from within the Vatican’s own bureaucracy. He managed the reform of the scandal-marred Vatican bank, working hard to bring its operations into a more credible and transparent fold. His campaigns even extended to capping bureaucratic salaries and banning them from receiving private sector gifts or contracts.
“We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented.” – Pope Francis
Even as these reforms went into effect, he did not stop touting his shiny new inclusivity and compassion. To many he was the quintessential wise elder within the Church—an impression confirmed by those who had the privilege of knowing him in person.
“It’s like having your grandfather in the house, a wise grandfather.” – Pope Francis
