A Pope Both Conservative and Unconventional: The Legacy of Francis – In a surprise to many, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American pope, left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church with his unconventional approach to reform and his unwavering commitment to environmental protection.
The first Latin American pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, also known as Francis, led the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years. He was a pastor as much as a pope, blending tradition with openness to change. Despite high hopes for reform, his papacy did not fulfill many expectations.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known as Pope Francis, is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church.
He was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Before becoming Pope, he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013.
Pope Francis is known for his progressive views and emphasis on poverty, inequality, and environmental issues.
He has implemented various reforms within the Catholic Church, including a new approach to priestly celibacy and a greater focus on social justice.
According to a 2020 survey, 71% of Catholics worldwide approve of Pope Francis's leadership.
The Meaning of His Name
Francis, the name chosen by the Argentine pope, is meaningful and recalling Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and animals. The original Francis renounced all riches, felt called by Jesus to a life of utter poverty, and founded the Franciscan order. This choice of name was not about pomp or state power but about a program: standing up for refugees, the homeless, and fighting for environmental protection and climate change.
Saint Francis of Assisi was a Catholic friar, deacon, and preacher who lived in the 12th century.
Born in Assisi, Italy, he was known for his compassion, kindness, and love for nature.
He renounced his wealth and family ties to live a simple life, preaching the Gospel message.
Francis founded the Franciscan Order, which emphasizes poverty, simplicity, and service to others.
He is revered for his devotion to animals and the environment.
His feast day is October 4th.
A Relatable Leader
Before his papal election in 2013, Bergoglio spoke in a pre-conclave address calling for ‘bold freedom of speech’ in the church. He said the Catholic Church should not revolve around itself but reach out to people on the margins. This approach was evident from the outset, as Pope Francis referred to himself as being from ‘the ends of the Earth.’ He reached out to the marginalized and spoke about the closeness of the church to those on its margins.
A Simple but Effective Demeanor
Unlike his predecessors, Francis did not move into the Apostolic Palace. Instead, he stayed in two rooms in the Vatican guest house throughout his papacy, dining with employees and guests at a simple buffet. This simplicity was part of his demeanor, which appeared as an advocate for the poor and the Global South.
Criticism of Globalization and Capitalism
Francis repeatedly criticized globalization and capitalism, delivering his strongest political speeches in his early years in office. He spoke before the European Parliament, the US Congress, and the United Nations about immigration and the refugee crisis. The phenomenon of US President Donald Trump remained alien to him.
Encyclical Letters
Francis dedicated two important encyclical letters to environmental protection: ‘Laudato Si‘ (Praised Be) in 2015 and ‘Laudate Deum‘ (Praise the Lord) in 2023. These teaching letters for the preservation of creation have rarely been heard.
Environmental protection is a critical issue that affects the entire planet.
The degradation of air and water quality, loss of biodiversity, and climate change are all interconnected problems that require immediate attention.
According to the United Nations, over 13 million hectares of forest are lost each year, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and extreme weather events.
Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainable development.
Visiting the Margins
Francis’s 47 trips abroad took him to Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. He always sought out the poor, stopping in slums and inviting people to approach him. His trips within Europe were often on the outer margins of the wealthy continent.
China and Russia
Despite being one of the most traveled popes, Francis never visited China or Russia, which have not yet been touched by a pope.
Expectations Within the Church
The Jesuit pope was inundated with expectations from within the church. Many hopes for reform were disappointed, though he did push for open debates and wanted ‘restlessness‘ in the church. However, extensive renovations of doctrine were not his thing.
Reform of the Curia
Francis oversaw a major reform of the Curia, the Vatican’s administrative body, which took effect in 2023 and reorganized the pope’s government. He also placed two nuns at the head of Vatican ministries, offices normally reserved for cardinals.
Dealing with Abuse and Intrigue
Francis had to deal with cases of sexual abuse in many parts of the church, along with cronyism and intrigue in the Vatican. Though he announced ‘zero tolerance‘ for abuse and its cover-up, some decisions disappointed many people.
Reaching Out to Jews and Muslims
Francis made an effort to build ties to Jews and Muslims, a new approach for a pope. He introduced himself as ‘Brother Bishop,’ a term used when meeting representatives of other monotheistic religions. In 2019, he became the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula.
Legacy
Despite his efforts, Francis’s legacy is complex. His attempts to build ties with Jews and Muslims were met with criticism from some Jewish people regarding his comments on Gaza. However, his commitment to environmental protection and climate change remains a powerful aspect of his time as pope. The image of Pope Francis alone in St. Peter’s Square during the COVID-19 pandemic will remain a lasting one.
Health Problems
Increasingly plagued by health problems from 2021 onward, Francis was hospitalized several times for operations. He first appeared at public appointments in a wheelchair in 2022 and grew to rely on it toward the end of his life.
The Holy Year
The Holy Year, which Francis opened in December 2024, remained close to his heart despite his health issues.
