Introduction
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, 2023, at the age of 88 due to a brain hemorrhage resulting from bilateral pneumonia that kept him hospitalized for over a month at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, announced his death, stating, “With profound sadness, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome returned to the Father’s house.”
Pope Francis: A Unique Pontiff
Elected in 2013, Francis was seen as a transitional pope, but he arrived with spiritual courage and clarity to restore a Church marred by scandals of sexual abuse, financial corruption, and a tendency towards ritualism while churches emptied. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European in over 1,200 years. Choosing the name Francisco, he sought to emulate Saint Francis of Assisi, aiming to “repair” the Church from rigid elements and return it to the Christian community, embracing all excluded groups and fostering a compassionate relationship with the faithful.
The Jesuit Perspective
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Mexico expressed their condolences, acknowledging Francis’s commitment to simplicity, advocacy for the environment, and inclusion of marginalized groups. Jesuit Sergio Cobo described Francis as a “fresh, renovating wind” that inspired many who had distanced themselves from both the Church and faith practices.
Key Aspects of Francis’s Pontificate
- Opened the Church to young people, engaging in open dialogue and learning from them
- Promoted interfaith dialogue for peace and condemned senseless, criminal wars disguised as religious conflicts
- In the encyclical Laudato Si’, he addressed social and ecological sins, emphasizing humanity’s exploitation of nature and the environment
A Man of God with Feet on the Ground
Jesuit Pedro Reyes Linares recalls a meeting with Francis during his 2016 visit to Mexico, highlighting the pope’s clarity in recognizing societal issues and connecting them to global challenges. Reyes, who worked on labor pastoral and supported families affected by the Pasta de Conchos mining disaster, shares a touching moment when Francis sent a blessing to the workers’ families.
Francis’s Spiritual Journey
Reyes believes Francis felt deeply loved by God, embracing his sinner identity with a call for conversion. This spiritual journey led him to advocate for the marginalized, address injustices, and promote compassion. He emphasized the importance of the term “brothers,” asserting that recognizing our shared humanity is key to transforming the world.
Pope Francis’s Battlefronts
Francis’s pontificate focused on several critical areas:
- Defending nature and condemning ecological sins
- Speaking out against gender-based violence and recognizing women’s roles within the Church, including leadership positions previously reserved for men
- Admitting divorced individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community to communion
- Zero tolerance for sexual abuse against minors
- Advocating for migrants and urging leaders not to criminalize them
- Consistently calling for inclusion and compassion
Peacebuilding and Legacy
Francis prioritized peace, even kneeling before Sudan’s political leaders in 2019, begging them to end the war. His final speech, delivered on Resurrection Sunday, was a powerful condemnation of ongoing conflicts in Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. Jesuit Pedro Reyes concludes, “We will miss his voice of compassion, inclusion, and mercy amidst rising voices demanding cruelty and division. Yet, our voices and prayers remain to ask God to unite us in that voice calling for compassion, justice, and hope.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Pope Francis? Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, was the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European in over 1,200 years. He served from 2013 until his death in 2023.
- What were the key aspects of his pontificate? Francis focused on inclusivity, environmental advocacy, addressing gender-based violence, admitting divorced individuals and LGBTQ+ community members to communion, condemning sexual abuse, advocating for migrants, and promoting peace.
- How did the Jesuits view his papacy? The Society of Jesus in Mexico acknowledged Francis’s commitment to simplicity, environmental advocacy, and inclusion of marginalized groups.
- What was the significance of his final speech? In his last public address, Francis condemned ongoing conflicts in various regions, emphasizing the need for compassion, justice, and hope.
