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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.

The walk from Jewell to Holy Grounds is around 10 minutes. Google Maps will tell you 13, but if you have long legs and/or embrace your inner New Yorker, it will take you 10. It is a nice walk through the historic neighborhoods of Liberty. Since the space is not a traditional coffee shop, it is quite an adventure. The front door to the coffee shop is on the south entrance of the church and down the stairs to the church’s basement.

The space is full of old books from the church’s library. alls that are not covered in books showcase the church organist’s original paintings. The dark oak of the table and bar creates a lovely, warm feel that contrasts with clean white spaces. They are always playing Gregorian chants or Anglican choir music, so, depending on your relationship with religion, you may find it peaceful and centering. However, if you are not used to being in church settings, you may find it a little strange. If you are not interested in the music, there is plenty of seating on their patio with shade and a peaceful ambience. 

The coffee shop’s menu is pretty standard, though a lot of their products are sourced from local small businesses. They roast their own coffee and they brew tea from Anna Marie’s Teas on the Liberty Square. I love their matcha because it is more on the gritty side. Their ratio of matcha to milk is the best in Liberty; many other local coffee shops dilute their matcha to the point where it is basically just green milk. Their espresso-based drinks are fine compared to the local standards of Liberty, but their espresso is just not quite up-to-par in my opinion. If you consider yourself a coffee snob like me, I would recommend getting a tea, a matcha or a drink with one of their many syrups. They make most of their syrups in-house, including my two favorites: vanilla lavender and cinnamon almond coconut.

There are many food options including pastries, and an extensive menu of more savory foods. Plus, they always have fudge samples from a local fudge maker up in Kearney.

Overall, it is a lovely walk from campus and a quiet place to study or hang out with friends. If you try it out, I recommend trying the fudge and getting a drink with one of their homemade syrups.