Six reasons Pope Francis would be remembered

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013.

The Holy Father passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, at about 7:35 AM at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, bringing an end to a pontificate which commenced on March 13, 2013, when he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, who had resigned on February 28, 2013.

Several achievements have been ascribed to the Pontiff during his time at the Papacy.

Pope Francis has had a transformative papacy, marked by significant achievements in various fields such as social justice, interfaith dialogue, environmental advocacy, and church reform.

Environmental Advocacy & Laudato Si’

Pope Francis had been a strong advocate for environmental protection, particularly in the context of climate change and the care of “our common home.”

His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ on Care for Our Common Home was a landmark document, calling on individuals, governments, and businesses to take urgent action against environmental degradation and to foster sustainable practices.

Social Justice & Advocacy for the Poor

Pope Francis consistently spoke on behalf of the marginalised and the poor.

His encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), published in 2013, critiques the global economic system and calls for greater attention to the poor and disenfranchised.

He has also repeatedly highlighted issues like poverty, inequality, and the need for greater social justice.

Papal Visits and Diplomacy

Pope Francis made numerous international trips aimed at fostering dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.

Notably, his historic visit to Cuba in 2015 helped to facilitate the thawing of U.S.-Cuba relations.

He has also visited countries experiencing conflict, such as Iraq (2021), highlighting his role as a global ambassador for peace.

Champion of Interfaith Dialogue

Pope Francis worked to improve relations between different religious communities.

One notable achievement was his outreach to the Muslim world, exemplified by his signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in 2019.

The document promotes peace, mutual understanding, and cooperation between Christians and Muslims.

Pope Francis also made significant strides in fostering unity among Christian denominations. His 2014 trip to the Holy Land, as well as his meetings with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, reinforced the importance of Christian unity.

In 2016, the pope and the patriarch jointly declared that the dialogue between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches should continue as a priority for both.

The pontiff also made frequent visits to synagogues; condemnations of the Shoah and anti-Semitism; joint declarations with interfaith leaders committing to peace, harmony, and opposing religious extremism.

Promotion of Global Peace and Nonviolence

Pope Francis had been an advocate for peace and nonviolence, urging the international community to avoid war and promote dialogue in situations of conflict.

His 2017 message for the World Day of Peace focused on non-violence as a political method.

“Let us make nonviolence, both in daily life and in international relations, a guide for our actions,” Pope Francis said.

Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Role in the Church

While traditional in many respects, Pope Francis has made strides in promoting the role of women within the Church.

He established a commission to study the possibility of women serving as deacons, and his repeated emphasis on the dignity and rights of women has resonated with many.

Conclusion

Pope Francis’s papacy has been marked by his advocacy for social justice, environmental stewardship, interfaith dialogue, and the marginalised which earned him recognition both within the Church and the wider global community.

FRCN