Remembering Pope Francis: a Commitment to Compassion

On Easter Monday, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. His funeral was the following Saturday, with around 250,000 people crowding the streets to watch as his coffin was moved to the Papal Basilica. On May 7 the Conclave will begin, where Catholic cardinals will come together to select the next pope.

Francis, who held the position since 2013 was regarded favorably by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, bringing change at a time when the Church was riddled with scandals. Understanding the legacy that Pope Francis leaves behind can be broken up into three categories: compassion, humility and many firsts.

The People's Pope

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Pope Francis reached the papacy at an uncertain time for the Catholic church. Pope Benedict XVI resigned, the first Pope to do so since 1415. His papacy had been controversial with some who found him too conservative, and after his knowledge and inactivity about child abuse within the church went public, he became a divisive figure.

In 2013, Jorge Mario Bergolio was selected to be the next Pope after two days of voting. His papacy had many firsts. He was the first South American to hold the position and the first Jesuit (Catholics who live in communities and take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience). Additionally he was the first to chose the papal name Francis, which he chose for its connection to Francis of Assissi, a figure remembered for his devotion to those in poverty.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis remained dedicated to emphasizing issues of poverty, and being an untraditional figure. He was known to enjoy interacting with regular people, and enjoyed walking around the shops near the Vatican despite the commotion it would cause. Luca Spiezia, a shopkeeper in Rome, remembered Francis visiting his glasses shop, saying, “He never made you feel that he was a powerful figure in the world, even though he was the head of the church.” It was this humility that led to Pope Francis' nickname, the “People’s Pope.”

His tendency to go against tradition sometimes caused controversy when he spoke about his views. Six months into his papacy he gave an interview with La Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit magazine, where he stated that the Church should not focus so heavily on abortion, homosexuality and birth control. While this stance alienated more traditional Catholics, others saw it as a step in the right direction.

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A Commitment to Compassion

Most importantly, Pope Francis will be remembered for his commitment to being compassionate. In his first papal news conference he spoke about LGBT rights, stating that he didn’t feel that it was right to judge gay Catholics. He would later go on to say that parents shouldn’t shun their children for their sexuality, one of the most progressive stances a Pope had ever taken. In his book Amoris laetitia (“The Joy of Love”) he told priests and bishops to be more welcoming to homosexuals and divorcees in the Church, and to still let them receive communion.

In July 2022 he visited Canada and met with survivors of religious residential schools which had abused the Indigenous population. During this meeting Pope Francis condemned the abuse that had occurred and apologized on behalf of the church, stating that the actions done by the schools was a misstep and not in alliance with the gospel.

More recently, Pope Francis condemned the immigration policies of the Trump administration. In a letter to the Bishops of the United States of America he wrote “...the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.”

He emphasized the importance of taking care of the environment, referring to it as a “moral issue” which was being done due to corporate greed. Overall, he always told people to care for those who are struggling or put down by the world, even if their problems don’t affect our lives. He argued against indifference and against judgement, and in doing this he opened the Church and made it feel like a more welcoming space for many.

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His Last Appearance

Pope Francis’s final appearance was one day before his passing. On Easter Sunday he spoke at St. Peter’s Square, blessing the audience while calling for an end to global violence, and to compassionate to those who are marginalized.

Specifically, he called for peace for the people of Ukraine and Gaza, while also condemning rising antisemitism. After his address he took to riding through the street where there were an estimated 50,000 people. He embraced the crowd before returning back to his residence at Casa Santa Marta. After a restful night he passed away.

The Lasting Legacy

Pope Francis leaves behind an enduring legacy of compassion, and a commitment to championing the rights of all people, especially those who are oppressed. Throughout his papacy he was never afraid to speak for what he believed was right, even if it was at odds with some traditionalists. His humility and the genuine connection he was able to cultivate with all people will be remembered alongside his commitment to making the church a more welcoming place for all.

"Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples."

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