- Pope Francis has died: farewell to the Pontiff of mercy and dialogue
- The passing of Pope Francis: the end of a historic ea for the Catholic Church
- The legacy of Jorge Mario Bergoglio between revolution and controversy
“God’s tenderness is the most powerful language to touch the heart of the world” – Pope Francis
With the passing of Pope Francis, the world loses one of the most charismatic and controversial figures of the 21st century. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Jesuit and South American pope, marked an era of radical change in the Catholic Church, leaving behind a legacy of mercy, dialogue, and reform – but also of unresolved tensions and challenges.
In an age defined by social crises, mass migrations, and environmental emergencies, his pontificate was a beacon of hope for many and a provocation for others. Now that his voice has fallen silent, what remains of his message?
A Pope “from the End of the Earth”: the Bergoglio revolution
The election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio on March 13, 2013, was an unprecedented event:
– First Jesuit pope
– First South American pontiff
– He first to chose the name Francis, in homage to St. Francis of Assisi
His papacy began with symbolic breaks from tradition:
– No red mozzetta, just a simple “Good evening”
– Rejection of the papal apartments to live in Domus Sanctae Marthae
– Washing prisoners’ feet, embracing the sick, visiting refugee camps
Francis was not just about symbols, but concrete actions: a Church that goes forth, close to the marginalized.
The 5 pillars of Pope Francis’ Pontificate
1. Mercy: The Heart of His Teaching
– Extraordinary Jubilee (2015)
– “God never tires of forgiving”
– Openness to remarried divorcees (Amoris Laetitia)
2. A Church for the Poor
– Visit to Lampedusa (2013)
– Denunciation of the “throwaway culture”
– Critique of unchecked capitalism
3. Integral Ecology
– Encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015)
– Call to care for Creation
– Criticism of destructive consumerism
4. Interreligious Dialogue
– Meeting with the Imam of Al-Azhar
– Document on Human Fraternity (2019)
– Trips to Muslim and Orthodox countries
5. Curia Reform
– Fight against corruption
– Greater financial transparency
– Internal Vatican resistance
The shadows of the Pontificate: criticisms and controversies
- Sex abuse scandals: Early mismanagement (Chile case), later stricter measures
- Doctrinal tensions: Clashes with conservatives over divorce and LGBTQ issues
- Centralized governance: Decisive leadership style despite synodal rhetoric
A Jesuit Pope, not a Franciscan one
Bergoglio chose the name Francis, but his governing style was Jesuit:
– Pragmatism
– Spiritual discernment
– Resoluteness in decision-making
Who will succeed him? Leading candidates for the New Conclave
With Francis’ death, the Church prepares for a new era.
Possible successors include:
- Card. Matteo Zuppi (Italy) – A bridge-builder
- Card. Luis Tagle (Philippines) – Face of Asian Catholicism
- Card. Peter Turkson (Ghana) – Global issues expert
- Card. Hollerich (Luxembourg) – Jesuit serving as Synod relator
But the possibility of unexpected nominees remains open.
A legacy that endures
Pope Francis forever changed the face of the Catholic Church, pushing it toward existential peripheries. His death, coming just months before the 2025 Jubilee, adds prophetic significance to this transition.
Thank you, Pope Francis, for teaching us that “God never tires of forgiving” and that the Church must be a field hospital. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of millions worldwide.
Timeline of Pope Francis’ pontificate
2013 – Election, rejection of traditional garb, Lampedusa visit
2015 – Laudato Si’, Jubilee of Mercy
2019 – Human Fraternity Document (Abu Dhabi)
2023 – Congo and South Sudan pilgrimage
2025 – Passing months before Jubilee
Unforgettable Quotes from Pope Francis
- “Who am I to judge?”
- “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets…”
- “The world will judge us by how we loved the poorest”
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