Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and the first Jesuit pope, passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of profound compassion, reform, and inclusivity. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he ascended to the papacy in 2013, marking a historic moment as the first pope from the Global South. His tenure was defined by his unwavering commitment to the marginalised, his embrace of interfaith dialogue, and his bold challenge to entrenched traditions within the Catholic Church.
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From the outset of his papacy, Pope Francis signalled a departure from the grandeur of his predecessors, choosing humility over opulence. Rejecting the papal palace in favour of a modest apartment at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, he embodied the values of simplicity and service. His insistence on a “poor Church for the poor” resonated globally, reinforcing his mission to bring the Church closer to those in need.
A progressive force within Catholicism, Pope Francis championed social justice, environmental stewardship, and a more compassionate approach to doctrinal issues. His landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ called for urgent action on climate change, framing the crisis as a moral responsibility. His advocacy for economic justice, migrant rights, and the abolition of the death penalty reflected a deep commitment to human dignity.
In matters of faith and tradition, Pope Francis sought to modernise the Church’s stance on key social issues. While upholding Catholic doctrine, he softened its approach towards LGBTQ+ individuals, famously stating, “Who am I to judge?” His efforts to extend pastoral care to divorced and remarried Catholics, as well as his calls for a more inclusive and decentralised Church, earned both praise and criticism. He also took steps to address the Church’s historical failures, particularly in confronting clerical sexual abuse, though his reforms in this area faced significant resistance.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis remained a figure of moral authority and global conscience, often speaking out against war, inequality, and xenophobia. His outreach to other faiths, including his historic meeting with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, reflected his vision of a world united by dialogue rather than division.
As the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, his legacy endures as that of a reformer who sought to bridge the gap between tradition and progress. He leaves behind a Church transformed by his vision—a Church more attuned to the struggles of the modern world, yet steadfast in its mission of faith, hope, and love.
