VATICAN Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, released a statement that shook the world to its core after he confirmed that Pope Francis had passed away last Apr. 21.

     For Catholics, the pope’s power extends beyond being a world leader or a teacher of the Catholic faith. For them, the pope is a sacred, infallible representative of God, seen as the successor to Saint Peter, who was given the keys to the Kingdom and considered the leader of the disciples. 

     Given the supreme spiritual authority a pope possesses over the Catholic Community, popes need to maintain a specific image that’s often perceived as reserved and scholarly. During public appearances, popes are expected to give speeches in a calm and mostly professional tone that rarely strayed from script and heavily followed the doctrine. Their masses are often executed with utmost grandeur, with almost little to no casual gestures. For the longest time, this was the papal tradition most popes have grown accustomed to—most, but not all. 

     Pope Francis was one such individual who was widely regarded as one of the most progressive leaders in Christian history, in large part because of his approach to the papacy, often advocating for compassion, inclusivity, and social justice. His overall demeanor is composed of being warm, humble, and simple, far from the previous pope’s image of being distant. 

Jorge Mario Bergoglio

     Before becoming pope, Francis’ original name was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Even then, Cardinal Jorge had always stayed committed to a life of humility, living in a small apartment instead of an archbishop’s palace, cooking his own meals, and using public transportation. “My people are poor, and I am one of them,” he said time and time again.

     Humble life choices aside, he also promoted interfaith dialogue by building strong relationships with Jewish and Muslim communities in Argentina. For him, being able to converse and find common ground was a necessity, even with atheists. This became a long-standing practice, one that he carried with him into his papacy. 

The Road to Papacy

     During the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Catholic Church was in its destructive phase, facing numerous challenges, both external and internal. Notable challenges include the sexual abuse crisis caused by the non-stop wave of child sex abuse cases by the clergy, and the Vatileaks scandal, which leaked confidential documents, exposing corruption allegations within the Holy See. These challenges led some believers to question their faith and beliefs, while some advocated for the separation of religion and government.

     The fallout of these challenges made it apparent that the Church needed a leader who could restore the credibility of the Catholic Church and, subsequently, the faith of the people. 

     Being known for his humility and deep concern for the poor, Jorge became the most compelling choice for pope despite his reputation for upholding the Catholic Doctrine with flexibility and understanding, rather than strict implementation. 

     As a result, on March 13, 2013, Jorge became Pope Francis and was elected as the 266th pope, after five rounds of voting over 24 hours, becoming the first pope from Latin America. The name Francis was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, whose work is centered around humility and care for the poor, which became his papacy’s commitment. 

An Open Charitable Church 

     His continued advocacy for poor and marginalized communities earned him the title of "pope of the poor” after he reconstructed the Office of the Papal Almoner, which would later provide medical services and meals to people in need. He would also later establish the World Day of the Poor to remind the world of the importance of giving. 

     As part of his continued promotion of interfaith dialogue, Francis visited the Grand Imam of al-Azhar to strengthen Christian-Muslim relations and became the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. He also visited Iraq in an attempt to call for unity among religious groups in war-ridden regions. 

     Francis' outspokenness, particularly on his views about the LGBTQIA+ community with the famous line “Who am I to judge,” prompted the Catholic Church to shift to a more inclusive tone that encourages anyone of any race, sex, or gender identity to come to the place of worship. 

The Pope’s Dilemma

     Unfortunately, like many popular figures, Francis is also no exception to controversies.

     His inclusive stance towards the LGBTQIA+ community and divorced Catholics, though praised by many, angered many conservative Bishops, particularly those who strictly enforce the doctrine. They believed that the flexibility practiced by the pope weakens the foundation of the doctrine.

     As part of the sex abuse crisis, Francis defended Chilean bishops who were accused of covering up past sex abuse crimes, even going as far as to demand that accusers provide proof. This stance caused a public outcry, which prompted the pope to eventually apologize, citing it as a “grave mistake.” While the Chilean bishops collectively resigned, many believe this move was inadequate, especially for someone like the pope, who made social justice a key aspect of his papacy.

Humble Even in Death

     Francis was a pope like no other. He stayed true as an inclusive, humble, and charitable Church, even when it bothered purists and traditional Church authorities. 

     Throughout his papacy, he played a balancing act of implementing progressive reforms without neglecting the doctrine completely. Whether he succeeded or not is up for debate, but supporters believe his leadership brought the Church closer to the realities of modern life.

     Following his passing, the Church observes the Novendiale, or a nine-day period of mourning. Typically, the Pope’s body is usually propped in a catafalque. However, Pope Francis, who is true to his values, chooses to lie in an open casket. Even in death, he remained a symbol of humility.

     As he once said, “The world tells us to seek success, power, and money; God tells us to seek humility, service, and love.”