Pope Francis, who became the first Jesuit to helm the papacy at 76 years old, died at 88. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and reform that is truly extraordinary. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936. On March 13, 2013, he was elected the 266th pope. His papacy has been marked by a commitment to social justice, environmental issues, and dedication to the poor and oppressed.
From the moment of his election, Pope Francis set himself apart from his predecessors. He chose to take the bus, instead of the papal cavalcade, to his hotel. This decision was in keeping with his modest style of leadership. He put his money where his mouth was in terms of the simplicity idea, paying his bill in advance for his stay at the Vatican guesthouse. Pope Francis made headlines by declining the lavish papal apartments traditionally occupied by popes.
Just as he spent all 12 Universal Chief Shepherd of the World years assailing the poor and downtrodden. In every campaign, he repeatedly called out the injustices of social and economic inequality and passionately condemned corporate greed. His environmental encyclical, published in 2015, ignited international discussion on climate change and social justice. In this short 180-page brief, he called on richer countries to accept their “serious social debt” toward the poor.
Besides his symbolic gestures, Pope Francis made clear, decisive actions that proved his commitment to humanitarian issues. After a trip to the Greek island of Lesbos, he welcomed 12 Syrian refugees to the Vatican. This act spurred the Nobel Committee’s recognition of his deep commitment on behalf of those escaping war and persecution. Far too often, his approach mixed compassion with action to develop real solutions to global crises.
Beyond his social outlook, what Pope Francis was widely praised for was his outsider’s approach to the Catholic Church’s own internal problems. He soon became a powerful opponent of clerical sexual abuse and the institutional cover-up of these crimes. So in 2019, he took an unusual step and issued an edict. It imposed a duty on priests and nuns to disclose cases of sexual abuse or cover-up to civil authorities. This directive, for the first time, placed protections for whistleblowers within its scope, an important step towards the accountability so desperately needed within the Church.
As the history of his pontificate unfolded, the specter of Pope Francis’ health loomed large. Recommended Videos On July 1, 2021, he underwent surgery to remove about half of his large intestine. He had to spend ten days recovering at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Yet even after moving back in September, his health issues only worsened. After a hospitalization in February 2023 for bronchitis followed by his June 2023 intestinal surgery. All these health issues prompted speculation about his capacity to shepherd the global Church.
During his papacy, Pope Francis led with his platform on interfaith dialogue and understanding. He said once very prophetically, “I find it objectionable to associate Islam with hateful acts of violence.” This brings us to the critical difference between faith and extremism. His words struck a nerve in an era marked by rising global tensions over religious identities.
In his talks and written defenses of happiness, beauty and fulfillment, he provided practical advice that pushed back against 21st century notions molded by tech absolutism. “Joy is not an application that you download on a telephone,” he proclaimed. He challenged us to seek rich relationships and discover fulfilment in real life away from online time wasters.
Pope Francis’s papacy was not beyond criticism. His progressive views were seen as threatening by some traditionalists. Despite all of this, he was probably most known for being resolute in his mission to reform the Church and make the Church more inclusive. His legacy is both the loving pastoral care and social justice commitment that will continue to inspire future generations.