The late Pope Francis I broke barriers as a humble reformer, from living simply and championing the poor to fighting climate change and reshaping the modern Church
The world is mourning the loss of Pope Francis I, who passed away at 88, leaving behind a legacy that changed the Catholic Church forever. Often described as a pope of the people, the Pontiff will be remembered not only for his compassion and humility but also for the bold, sometimes surprising ways he redefined what it meant to be a pontiff in the 21st century.
From the moment he stepped onto the balcony in 2013 and asked for the crowd’s prayers before offering his own, it was clear this would be no ordinary papacy. What many might not know is just how revolutionary his time as pope truly was.
Pope Francis did not want to rule over those with faith; he wanted to walk beside them, and now that he has passed, there is a deep sadness amongst those who walked alongside him.
For many Pope Francis was the best of what faith can be, evolving and filled with mercy with space for all.
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An unexpected beginning
Before he became the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis had quite the unexpected CV. Long before donning the papal white, Jorge Mario Bergoglio worked as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires. This real-life experience wasn’t wasted, though; it gave him an edge in reading people and creating connections throughout his papacy.
He cared about the planet
In 2015, environmentalists were stunned when he released Laudato Si’, a passionate and deeply moral plea to protect the planet. It was the first papal document of its kind to frame climate change not just as a scientific or political issue, but as a spiritual one. Caring for the earth, he argued, was a divine responsibility.
The role of women in the church
During Pope Francis’s time, women found a stronger voice in the Church. Though Catholic doctrine remained unchanged on female ordination, Francis nonetheless made history by appointing women to some of the most senior roles ever held in the Vatican. According to the Catholic News Agency: “From the time he took office in 2013, the number of female employees working in the Vatican increased from about 850 at the beginning of Francis’ papacy to nearly 1,200 in 2023.“
Abuse of power in the church
He also did what few popes before him had managed: he faced the Church’s darkest crises head-on. He didn’t tackle this perfectly, but over the years, he removed bishops, met survivors, and pushed for tougher protocols on accountability; however, this behaviour is one that still plagues the church, as PBS reports.
Helping those on the margins of society
From refugees, to the poor, the disabled or those in prison, Pope Francis not only spoke about their dignity but visited them, washed their feet and embraced them. His papacy was marked by acts of kindness. In July 2013, Pope Francis posed a question that marked a radical shift in the Catholic Church’s treatment of gay people. “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him?” he asked reporters in 2013. “Who am I to judge?” reports NBS 10 Philadelphia . Whilst this caused much controversy, it became a symbol of the way he accepted those who have historically been shunned into the church, inviting mercy before doctrine.
Interfaith relations for peace
His interfaith efforts, too, broke new ground. In a world increasingly fractured by religious division, Pope Francis made it his mission to build bridges. He met with Muslim leaders, Jewish rabbis, and Buddhist monks, all in the name of peace.
Making history
When the Pope was elected in 2013, he became the first Jesuit ever to hold the position. The Jesuit order is known for its intellectual depth and dedication to education and missionary work. The Jesuit order had never had one of its own in the highest office of the Church. The Pope’s roots really influenced the compassion and mercy he showed.
A football fan
Pope Francis was a lifelong supporter of San Lorenzo, a football club in his native Buenos Aires. He’s even held up the club’s scarf and jersey in photos.
A lover of poetry and words
Pope Francis has written poetry and is a big fan of classic literature. He often quoted writers like Dante, Borges, and Dostoevsky in his speeches and homilies. Pope Francis wrote for the book ‘Verses to God: An Anthology of Religious Poetry (published by Crocetti Editore), you can read an excerpt here.
A name fit for a saint
Pope Francis was the first pope ever to take the name Francis, inspired by St Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his dedication to peace, the poor, and the earth.
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