Pope Francis: A Human-Centered, Ethical, and Resilient Leader
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, at the age of 88, and was recognized for his leadership characterized by a human, close, and transformative approach, along with coherence and humility. This leadership style can inspire leaders to build more human, ethical, and resilient organizations.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Pope of Latin American origin and a Jesuit, assumed the leadership of the Catholic Church in 2013 and took the name Francisco. During his tenure, he promoted a new way of leading based on humility, service, inclusion, and coherence.
Pope Francis: A Progressive Revolutionary
His progressive style revolutionized the church by breaking with traditionalism, addressing topics such as homosexuality and abortion. His ability to connect with diverse audiences—believers or non-believers, political leaders, business executives, young people, and the marginalized—made him an influential figure beyond the religious sphere.
In a world that demands more human, ethical, and conscious leaders, Pope Francis offers a relevant model that can be applied by CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders in any organization.
7 Leadership Lessons from Pope Francis
In an increasingly complex and demanding business world, leaders face the challenge of making decisions that not only drive results but also inspire, build trust, and create a shared purpose. In this sense, Pope Francis—beyond his religious role—became a global reference for ethical, close, and transformative leadership.
Below, we explore 7 leadership lessons that Pope Francis put into practice and can inspire a new way of managing companies with values, purpose, and closeness.
1. Lead by Example
His Jesuit background led him to manage austerely, focusing on simplicity. Upon assuming the papacy, he refused to live in the papal apartments at the Apostolic Palace and instead chose a modest residence within the Vatican, Casa Santa Marta. He also opted for simple clothing, worn-out shoes, and drove a Ford Focus instead of the luxurious “papamobile.”
Lesson: A leader who practices what they preach inspires credibility. It’s not about privileges but coherence between words and actions.
2. Prioritize Purpose
The Pontiff stated, “Money should serve, not rule,” and focused his leadership on social justice, caring for the poor, and the environment. In the encyclical Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis, published in May 2015, he called for caring for the planet over profit, criticizing “wild capitalism” and excessive consumption. He also champions solidarity initiatives, such as free hospitals and food banks for homeless people in the Vatican.
Lesson: Companies centered on a clear purpose, beyond economic benefit, connect more with their teams, consumers, and conscious investors.
3. Promote Inclusion and Diversity
He opened dialogue to traditionally marginalized communities within the Church, such as the LGBT community. He was the first Pope to publicly say, “Who am I to judge?” when referring to homosexuals sincerely seeking God. He also appointed cardinals from countries that had never been represented in the College of Cardinals, promoting a more global and diverse Church.
Lesson: Valuing different voices and experiences strengthens any organization, preparing it to operate in a pluralistic world.
4. Be Transparent and Own Mistakes
Pope Francis publicly asked forgiveness for historical mistakes of the Catholic Church, such as sexual abuse, and acknowledged that the institution failed to protect victims. He also established commissions to investigate and prevent such abuses and promoted internal audits of the Vatican Bank.
Lesson: Transparency and accountability build long-term trust. Acknowledging mistakes does not weaken; it strengthens.
5. Human Leadership
His closeness to people demonstrated empathetic and human leadership. He visited prisons, hospitals, refugee camps, and impoverished neighborhoods worldwide, showing that every person, regardless of their condition, deserves dignity and attention. In many audiences, he stopped to embrace the sick, greet homeless people, or share acts of closeness with children and the elderly.
Lesson: A good leader does not command but understands and focuses on their people, especially in difficult times. Listen, recognize emotions, and act with humanity. Companies that care for people build solid and resilient cultures.
6. Foster Change
He promoted reforms in the Roman Curia, the Vatican’s governing structure, fostering decentralization of power, and promoting the use of new technologies in ecclesiastical communication, even maintaining an active presence on social media.
Lesson: There is no leadership without change. Even a millennial institution needs to adapt. Companies must constantly renew processes and structures.
7. Active Listening
He focused on dialogue and active listening as essential forms of governance. In the Synods, debate spaces within the Church, he promoted that all voices be heard, including those in disagreement. Instead of imposing unilateral decisions, he sought consensus and promoted global consultations, including grassroots communities, women, and youth.
Lesson: Listening is not just hearing; practice active listening, as a leader who listens to their employees, customers, and stakeholders builds trust and fosters more inclusive solutions.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How did Pope Francis’ leadership style impact the Catholic Church? A: Pope Francis’ human-centered, ethical, and transformative leadership revolutionized the Church by breaking with traditionalism, addressing controversial topics, and promoting inclusivity.
- Q: What lessons can CEOs learn from Pope Francis’ approach to leadership? A: CEOs can apply lessons such as leading by example, prioritizing purpose, promoting inclusion and diversity, being transparent, fostering change, and practicing active listening.
- Q: How did Pope Francis demonstrate ethical leadership? A: By focusing on social justice, caring for the poor and environment, acknowledging mistakes, and promoting transparency, Pope Francis embodied ethical leadership.
- Q: In what ways did Pope Francis promote change within the Church? A: He implemented reforms in the Curia, decentralized power, and embraced new technologies for ecclesiastical communication.
- Q: How can active listening benefit modern organizations? A: Active listening fosters trust, inclusivity, and better solutions in today’s diverse and complex business environments.
