Pope Francis (1936-2025): The Legacy of a Transformative Papacy

Pope Francis (1936-2025): The Legacy of a Transformative Papacy
Table of Contents
TogglePope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at 88. His 12-year papacy changed the Catholic Church by focusing on humility, mercy, and social justice. As the first Latin American, Jesuit, and Southern Hemisphere pope, he brought a unique and modern perspective to his role.
Early Life and Path to the Papacy
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. His dad, Mario, was a railway accountant, and his mom, Regina, focused on raising their five kids in a simple home. Jorge first trained as a chemical technician but later felt drawn to become a priest, joining the Jesuits on March 11, 1958.
His early career in the Church was marked by a combination of academic work and pastoral service. After completing studies in humanities in Chile and philosophy in Argentina, he taught literature and psychology before being ordained as a priest on December 13, 1969. His leadership abilities were recognized early, and in 1973, at just 36 years old, he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio steadily climbed the Church ranks. In 1992, he became an auxiliary bishop in Buenos Aires, then archbishop in 1998. In 2001, Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal. Even as he rose, he kept his simple lifestyle, living in a small apartment instead of the archbishop’s palace and often taking public transportation.
On March 13, 2013, after Pope Benedict XVI retired, Cardinal Bergoglio became the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. He chose the name Francis, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for caring for the poor and nature. This showed Pope Francis’s focus on helping those in need and protecting the environment.
The Theology of Pope Francis
Pope Francis’s theological vision was characterized by several key principles that guided his papacy. Central to his theology was the concept of mercy, reflected in his papal motto “Miserando atque eligendo” (“by having mercy and by choosing”). He emphasized a church that is “poor and for the poor,” advocating for a missionary approach that prioritized pastoral care over doctrinal rigidity.
His theological perspectives were grounded in the principles of Vatican II, particularly the concept of ressourcement—returning to the sources of Christianity in the New Testament. Francis encouraged a Church that was responsive to the “signs of the times” and stressed the importance of discernment and dialogue both within the Church and with the wider world.
Francis’s theology influenced his leadership style, prompting him to implement a more decentralized, synodal model of Church governance. He advocated for the inclusion of diverse voices in decision-making processes, particularly those of laypeople and women. His emphasis on mercy and pastoral care was reflected in his approach to controversial issues, such as his more welcoming stance toward divorced and remarried Catholics and the LGBTQ+ community.
Major Reforms and Initiatives
Throughout his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis initiated numerous reforms aimed at making the Church more responsive to contemporary challenges and more faithful to its gospel mission.
Church Governance and Structure
One of his first and most important changes was forming a group of trusted cardinals to advise him on leading the Catholic Church and modernizing its administrative structure. These efforts led to a major update in 2022 called Praedicate Evangelium—a set of new rules that reorganized Vatican offices, combined some departments, and created new ones, like a team focused specifically on spreading the Church’s message worldwide.
Pope Francis did some things that had never been done before—he gave more important roles in the Church to women and regular (non-priest) members, allowing them to help lead and even vote in Church meetings. He also stopped the old tradition of giving extra money to Vatican workers when a new pope is elected. On top of that, he made changes to the way the Vatican handles money, so everything would be more open and honest.
Synodality and Inclusive Decision-Making
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Francis’s papacy was his emphasis on synodality—a collaborative, inclusive approach to Church governance. He convened several major synods, including the Synod on the Family (2014-2015), the Synod on Young People (2018), the Synod on the Pan-Amazonia region (2019), and the Synod on Synodality (2023-2024).
These synods were characterized by open dialogue and the inclusion of diverse voices. Francis encouraged participants to speak frankly and listen attentively, even when opinions differed. In March 2025, while recovering from pneumonia, he approved an accompaniment process that would culminate in an Ecclesial Assembly in 2028, further institutionalizing the synodal approach.
Pastoral Reforms and Social Outreach
Francis implemented several pastoral reforms aimed at making the Church more welcoming and responsive to people’s needs. He advocated for a more compassionate approach to divorced and remarried Catholics and urged pastoral closeness to LGBTQ+ individuals. He reconceptualized the Eucharist as a “medicine for sinners” rather than a reward for the perfect.
He cared deeply about people who are often ignored or treated unfairly. This showed in how he traveled to faraway and struggling areas and spoke up for refugees, migrants, and the poor. For example, he went to Lampedusa in Italy to highlight the struggles of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. He also visited Bangui in the Central African Republic, a place facing serious conflict, where he opened a special church door for the Jubilee of Mercy to spread hope and compassion.
Environmental Stewardship
Francis’s most influential contribution to environmental advocacy came in 2015 with the publication of his encyclical “Laudato Si'” (Praise Be to You), which framed environmental protection as a moral imperative and linked ecological degradation to social inequality. The document was strategically released months before the United Nations climate talks that produced the Paris Agreement, and many world leaders acknowledged its influence on the negotiations.
Throughout his papacy, Francis continued to advocate for environmental protection, meeting with climate activists like Greta Thunberg and convening discussions with oil and gas executives to urge action on climate change. He turned the Vatican into an important stop for global climate leaders and used his platform to speak about the urgency of addressing environmental challenges.
Peacemaking and Global Diplomacy
Francis was a tireless advocate for peace throughout his pontificate. He made numerous appeals for dialogue in conflict zones and used his diplomatic influence to foster reconciliation.
One of his most striking gestures came in April 2019, when he knelt to kiss the feet of South Sudanese leaders who were struggling to implement a peace agreement in their war-torn country. In February 2023, he visited South Sudan along with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, exemplifying his commitment to ecumenical cooperation in peacebuilding.
Francis also made historic visits to other conflict zones, including Iraq in March 2021—the first papal visit to the country—where he delivered a message of unity and hope. He consistently condemned nuclear weapons and the arms trade, warning that future generations would judge today’s leaders based on their efforts to promote peace.
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
Francis was deeply committed to fostering unity among Christians and building bridges with other religions. He approached ecumenism with humility, introducing himself as the “Bishop of Rome” rather than as “Pope” to emphasize collegiality with other Christian leaders.
He met regularly with leaders from various Christian denominations, including the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and representatives of Orthodox, Syrian, and Coptic Churches. He advocated for a common date for the celebration of Easter, seeing it as an important symbol of Christian unity.
His final Easter celebration on April 20, 2025, just one day before his death, coincided with the Orthodox Easter, marking a rare occasion when all Christians celebrated their most important feast on the same day.
Controversies and Challenges
Despite his popularity with many Catholics and non-Catholics alike, Francis’s papacy was not without controversy. His progressive stances on issues like environmental protection, economic inequality, and pastoral approaches to divorced and LGBTQ+ individuals sometimes put him at odds with more conservative elements within the Church.
His decentralization efforts and liturgical reforms polarized opinion within the Church, with some traditionalists fearing that these changes undermined the Church’s universality and tradition. His critiques of capitalism and calls for social justice led some critics to label his views as overly progressive or even Marxist, despite his clear rejection of Marxist ideology.
There were also lingering questions about his actions during Argentina’s “Dirty War” in the 1970s, with some alleging that he did not do enough to protect Jesuit priests who were kidnapped by the military junta. However, many historians and human rights activists have defended his actions during this difficult period.
Final Days and Death
Pope Francis’s health had been declining in the months leading up to his death. On February 14, 2025, he was admitted to Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital with bronchitis, which eventually developed into bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days in the hospital, he returned to his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
Despite his health challenges, Francis maintained his commitment to his duties as pope, even participating in Easter celebrations the day before his death. On April 21, 2025, Easter Monday, he died at his residence at 7:35 AM. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced his death at 9:47 AM.
The cause of Francis’s death was reported as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. His long-standing respiratory issues, dating back to a lung surgery in his youth, likely contributed to his decline.
Funeral Arrangements and Succession
As articulated by Vatican emissary Matteo Bruni, the corporeal vessel of Pope Francis shall be solemnly conveyed to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, permitting the devout to partake in public reverence. His requiem rites are projected to transpire within a span of four to six days following his demise, adhering to the venerable novemdiales—a sacred nine-day lamentation steeped in papal tradition.
In life, Francis eschewed ostentation; in death, he remains resolute in humility. Defying centuries-old papal custom, he entreated for an austere farewell—eschewing the grandiose trinity of cypress, lead, and oak coffins favored by former pontiffs. Instead, he shall repose within a modest wooden sarcophagus, emblematic of spiritual simplicity over ecclesiastical pomp. Furthermore, diverging from canonical interment within Vatican confines, Francis shall be laid to eternal rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—a place imbued with Marian devotion and personal resonance.
Upon culmination of the final obsequies, the ecclesiastical gears of succession will commence. Cardinals beneath the octogenarian threshold will assemble in cloistered deliberation within the Sistine Chapel. In this conclave, shrouded in secrecy and sanctity, they shall elect from their midst the one who will bear the Petrine mantle. The denouement of their discernment shall be proclaimed to the world by a plume of alabaster smoke wafting skyward from the chapel’s chimney—an ancient visual symphony signifying divine decision.
Francis’s profound imprint upon the College of Cardinals—having elevated voices from far-flung, non-European dominions—has ushered speculation that his heir may mirror his global vision. Many conjecture that the next spiritual sovereign may emerge not from the Eurocentric ecclesiastical core, but from lands where faith breathes in vibrant new tones—perhaps bearing a progressive cadence akin to Francis’s own.
Legacy and Impact
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, left a lasting impact by focusing on kindness, care for others, and fairness. He changed how the Church deals with modern problems and connects with the world.
He reformed the Vatican’s structure, encouraged teamwork in decision-making, and gave women and non-clergy more roles in the Church. He spoke out for the environment, peace, and the rights of migrants and refugees, making the Church a strong voice on global issues.
Most importantly, Francis’s humble, simple, and caring way of leading inspired millions. He showed that leadership is about serving others, not holding power. He often said he wanted a Church that is “poor and for the poor,” and he lived out that vision.
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who worked with Francis on climate issues, called him a blessing. Many others agree, seeing him as a leader full of compassion, humility, and courage.
As the Church grieves his loss and prepares to choose a new pope, Pope Francis’s influence will live on, guiding the Church to renew itself and tackle the challenges of today’s world.