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Who Was Pope Francis?

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away Monday, April 21 on Easter Monday—a day rich in symbolism for Christians around the world. 

Originally from Argentina and the first non-European pope in more than a millennium, he leaves behind an indelible legacy within the Catholic Church. And yet, looking back, nothing seemed to predestine Bergoglio to ascend to the highest position in the church. Named after St. Francis of Assisi, his humanist values and simple lifestyle became the cornerstone of his papacy. But what lessons can we draw from his time as pope?

A Reformist Pope?

The choice of the name Francis was far from trivial. A Jesuit by background — an order rooted in education, service and social justice — Pope Francis aligned himself with the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi, who preached humility and poverty. His papacy was marked by a deep concern for the oppressed and for the structural inequalities that divide humanity.

One of his most visible battles was against xenophobia, particularly condemning the actions of western governments toward migrants. These efforts demonstrated his deep commitment to humanitarian causes. In a world increasingly marked by division and fear of the “other,” Pope Francis embodied the belief that love and compassion can still guide us.

He broke long-standing taboos when he famously said, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” Later in his papacy, he went further, authorizing blessings for same-sex couples. These gestures, though modest by some standards, represented significant steps toward a more inclusive church. In this way, Pope Francis sought to break with the past and champion a vision of Christianity rooted in love and acceptance — principles that defined his 12 years at the helm of the Vatican.

Some Things Never Change

Despite his progressive image marked by strong advocacy for human dignity and condemnation of growing inequalities, Pope Francis faced serious criticism for his handling of sexual abuse scandals within the Church. This deep-rooted issue, which continues to tarnish the institution, was not met with the decisive action many had hoped for. Although he issued some condemnations and initiated reforms, his response was often seen as tepid and inconsistent.

The recent revelations surrounding Abbé Pierre only reinforced this perception. While Pope Francis claimed that the Vatican became aware of Abbé Pierre’s misconduct years after his death, multiple sources indicate the Vatican had knowledge of his Abbé Pierre’s wrongdoings  as early as 1955. ​​Pope Francis’ approach to the issue underscored the complex institutional dynamics and longstanding patterns in how the Church has addressed abuse allegations in the past.

Despite this scandal, Pope Francis nonetheless leaves behind a vision of hope and compassion. But now, the question turns to the future: What comes next?

What Can We Expect From the Upcoming Conclave?

According to church tradition, a new pope is elected within 15 to 20 days of the previous pope’s death. A conclave — a gathering of cardinals tasked with electing the next pope — will soon convene. As dramatized in Edward Berger’s recent film Conclave this process is often full of intrigue and unpredictability. While there may be favorites, the final choice frequently defies expectations.

This election carries significant weight. Pope Francis expanded the church’s global reach by appointing numerous cardinals from Africa and Southeast Asia and championing a more inclusive worldview. But with democratic institutions retreating and nationalist movements gaining momentum across Europe and the United States, the progressive momentum he initiated now hangs in the balance.

The next pope will have enormous influence over the church’s direction. With more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, his voice will matter. Beyond theological and social priorities, he will also face the urgent task of reforming the Vatican’s finances and, most critically, addressing the institutional failures that have allowed sexual abuse to persist.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected to the head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, and only two years into his service the Church has seen much controversy with this man at its helm. Growing up in Argentina in an immigrant family, Pope Francis worked many jobs including a janitor, bouncer, and even worked in a lab after receiving his master’s in chemistry until he found the priesthood. This unusual past is perhaps an indicator as to why Pope Francis’s papacy has included many “firsts” for the church. Nothing seems a greater symbol than the fact that he is the first pope from the Americas, and with that, Pope Francis has taken stances on many issues in stark contrast to his predecessors. As a young Catholic, I have welcomed many of his stances and objections to the current status quo, but I am not blind to the many changes that still need to happen going forward.

The name Francis was taken from Saint Francis of Assisi, a friar who helped the poor and cared deeply for the environment. The Pope has adopted the passions of his namesake and advocates for the helping the poor, even going as far as to criticize capitalism in the United States for creating large income inequalities. As both a scientist and moral leader in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has called upon the protection of the environment, and to increase awareness for climate change.

Social issues are a specialty for Pope Francis, breaking far from classic teachings by calling for a greater acceptance of gays in the church, saying, “Who am I to judge?” However, my disappointment lies in the shadow of these words, where he denounces gay marriage, still calling what many know to be genetic a sin. While progressive, the double-edged sword that is Pope Francis lingers in the back of my head, where we see him stay silent on many important women’s issues. Abortion, contraceptives and female priests still remain harshly prohibited by the Vatican, where Francis stands front and center.

It was this vast split in ideology that made the most recent visit to the United States so interesting where he seemingly had one foot in both major political parties. Touted as the “People’s Pope,” giant crowds gathers at his every stop. In an address to Congress he talked about immigration, climate change and the Golden Rule, where he then left, opting out of a dinner with Congress, to feed the homeless. Hearing these stories of this pope who rides in a Fiat, forgoes the lavish robes and pays for his own hotel bill on the day of his election is inspiring to say the least, but then I wake up to the reality that is a man who is not supporting LGBTQ rights and women’s social issues. The true effects of the pope’s recent visit stateside are yet to be seen, his place in the history books is not sealed, but for a church not known for its evolution in policy, the changes Pope Francis has made are very welcomed.