Legacy of Pope Francis: How We Remember the First Pope from the America’s.

With the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, the Catholic Church and the world at large bid farewell to a shepherd whose pontificate left a profound mark on history. As the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis, his papacy was marked by both startling humility and a bold vision for a Church engaged with the modern world.

Pope Francis was both loved and hated in equal measure, with his ambiguous statements igniting fierce debate and his pastoral statements signaling potential hope for many. But, love or hate him, as the Successor of Peter, he could not be ignored. He redefined global perceptions of the papacy and championed causes that touched the heart of both the devout and the skeptical. As we now look to Pope Leo XIV and the future, it’s essential to reflect on what Pope Francis left behind, a legacy rooted in mercy, simplicity, and a call for a Church that goes to the margins.

When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2013 and introduced himself as Pope Francis, the tone of his papacy was already clear, shockingly so for many. He bowed before the crowd, asked for their prayers, and broke centuries of convention by choosing the name of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor and peace.

From his first moments, Francis signaled a departure from the formality of previous papacies. He refused lavish papal apartments in favor of a modest guesthouse, drove a used Fiat instead of a luxury vehicle, and continually rejected clerical elitism. His style wasn’t just aesthetic, it was theological in nature. His vision of leadership was that of a servant-shepherd, walking with the people, not reigning above them. Though this has been the motif of many popes, Francis did so in a provocative light in how he went about it, retaining the simplicity of his monastic vows as opposed to the decorum afforded to him and expected of him by his office.

Perhaps the defining word of Francis’ papacy was “mercy.” He declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015 and repeatedly emphasized that the Church must be a “field hospital after battle,” healing wounds rather than guarding doctrine like a fortress. His first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (2013), set the tone: the Gospel is joy, and the Church’s mission is to go out, not remain comfortable.

He extended that theme of mercy to the global stage. He advocated for the forgiveness of debts, inclusion of the marginalized, and compassionate treatment of immigrants and refugees. He often said the Church must not be obsessed with rules but with love. To Francis, mercy wasn’t a soft word—it was the Church’s most powerful weapon.

Internally, Pope Francis sought to reform the curia, the Vatican’s administrative structure, long seen as a source of bureaucracy and even corruption. With Praedicate Evangelium (2022), he implemented structural reforms to make the curia more mission-oriented and less hierarchical.

His response to the sexual abuse crisis, though criticized by some as uneven, was marked by significant steps. He convened a historic summit on abuse in 2019, released the document Vos Estis Lux Mundi, holding bishops accountable, and emphasized a culture of transparency. He acknowledged the pain of survivors, calling the abuse crisis a “catastrophe” and a “sacrilege.”

Francis also opened the door to new conversations. He encouraged synodality, a process of listening to local churches, including laypeople and women in consultations. He did not overturn Church teachings on controversial issues, but he shifted the conversation. His famous “Who am I to judge?” comment about gay Catholics signaled a pastoral, not punitive, approach to moral questions. This should be highly noted. Francis was not, in the American sense of the word, Liberal. He was a pastorally minded theologian who advocated for an informed and pastoral approach to dealing with disagreements. To counter some statements, Francis DID NOT change any of the church’s teachings. Women’s ordination, LGBTQIA+ clergy and relationships, and several other hot-button topics did not change or even move towards change under Francis. He put the focus on addressing it with love and compassion, but held firm to the dogmatic teachings of the church. His pastoral approach was seen as too soft-handed by traditionalists, and too heavy-handed by advocates of reform. Nevertheless, Francis did not alter the church’s teachings, only insisting that pastors function as pastors, with love, gentleness, and a firm foundation on the teaching of the church.

Outside the Church, Pope Francis became one of the most influential moral leaders in the world. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ was a groundbreaking appeal to care for creation, addressed not just to Catholics but “to every person living on this planet.” It was hailed by scientists and environmentalists as one of the most significant ethical contributions to the climate conversation.

He championed the rights of migrants and refugees, visiting borders and refugee camps, and reminding the world of the dignity of every displaced person. He condemned both consumerism and economic inequality, warning against what he called “the globalization of indifference.” His vision was not left or right, it was deeply Catholic, rooted in the Gospel's call to protect the poor and the vulnerable.

As a diplomat, Francis played quiet but powerful roles in world affairs. He helped broker the thaw in U.S.–Cuba relations, met with religious leaders across faiths, and continually called for peace in areas of conflict like Ukraine, Syria, and the Holy Land. His leadership emphasized dialogue over division.

Criticism and Controversy

Francis’ openness was not without resistance. Some traditionalist Catholics accused him of sowing confusion or undermining doctrine, especially in areas like divorce, remarriage, and intercommunion. Others thought he moved too slowly on issues like women’s ordination or LGBTQ inclusion.

But Francis never positioned himself as a revolutionary. He once said, “I am a son of the Church.” He did not seek to change dogma but to change emphasis, pointing away from legalism and toward love. His critics often misunderstood his method: to walk with people first, to listen deeply, and to invite them toward Christ, not force them toward conformity.

Many will point out, perhaps rightly so, that Francis was much more of a pastor than he was a high-level administrator. His pastoral words, while comforting in the moment, were often taken out of context and became divisive statements that many in the church and across the world argued over. Here, I believe it is important to remember context. When Francis took office, he was 76 years old. He had a pastoral and compassionate heart and would speak to those struggling as a friend and pastor would. Imagine if your grandfather, while comforting someone, had those moments broadcast across the entire world for everyone to listen to. How well would that be received? Francis, for his many wonderful qualities, did make statements in the moment that were not well thought out or necessarily doctrinally perfect. He was a man, a human being, the same age as many grandparents. I would advocate we extend grace to many of the things said by Francis and make sure we understand the context in which they were said. Remember, a man can err, especially when he is thinking off the cuff.

His Legacy

Pope Francis will be remembered as a pastor Pope, a man more concerned with people’s wounds than their status, more interested in bridges than walls. He brought the papacy down to earth without diminishing its spiritual stature. He reminded the world that holiness looks like humility, and that power in the Church must always look like service.

His funeral, held during the holiest week of the Christian year, was a fitting conclusion to a pontificate rooted in the message of resurrection hope. His passing invites reflection, but his legacy invites action. To live out Francis' vision is to care for the poor, to embrace mercy, to challenge indifference, and to let Christ’s love shape the world.

Final Thoughts

Pope Francis once said, “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” That simple phrase encapsulates the heart of his papacy. He was not perfect, nor did he try to be. But he was a living reminder that the Church, when at its best, is a refuge for the broken, a home for the forgotten, and a light for the nations.

As we now look to Pope Leo XIV to carry that light forward, the memory of Pope Francis remains not just in the archives of Church history, but in the hearts of millions who saw in him a glimpse of Christ, the Good Shepherd, full of grace and truth.