Leaving a legacy marked by reform, social justice, and inclusivity in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has died at 88.
His papacy, which began in 2013, was revolutionary for addressing pressing global issues and advocating for the marginalized.
As the world reflects on his impact, the College of Cardinals now faces the challenge of electing a successor who can honor and advance the milestones he achieved.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis became a Jesuit priest in 1969 and later the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Elected as the 266th pope in 2013, he became the first Latin American pontiff and chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
“It was so exciting, it felt electric — things felt so hopeful, that we would finally have a pope who comes from our culture,” said National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry president Elisabeth Román.
His tenure was characterized by a push for reforming the Vatican bureaucracy, particularly in areas such as financial transparency and climate change.
Pope Francis was especially beloved by Hispanic Catholics. Over a third of U.S. Catholics are Latino.
Many viewed Francis as their own, resonating with his heritage and compassion for the poor.
His direct engagement with Latino communities bypassed the traditional papal bureaucracy, leaving a profound impact and strengthening the bond with Latino Catholics until his passing.
Pope Francis was not without his critics; his style sometimes stirred concern among conservatives.
Nonetheless, he remained aligned with church doctrine while advocating for migrants and modernizing the Church’s social approach.
His outreach extended to LGBTQ Catholics, and he called for a greater role for women, drawing both praise and skepticism from various factions within the Church.
In his efforts to address social justice, Pope Francis visited the Americas multiple times during his 12-year papacy.
He focused on peace and condemning violence, notably speaking against Mexican drug cartels and advocating for reconciliation in Colombia.
His actions and words often emphasized compassion, particularly towards migrants and the poor.
His encyclicals, Laudato Si (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020), focused on environmental responsibility and fraternity, urging global cooperation and solidarity.
Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new leader to carry forward Pope Francis’s vision.
Cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in Vatican City for a secret conclave, where black smoke will signal an inconclusive vote, and white smoke will announce the election of a new pope.
The next pope will need to balance the reformist agenda set by Pope Francis with the traditionalist concerns present within the Church.
As the election unfolds, many will watch eagerly to see how the Church charts its course for the future, hoping for a continuation of the compassion and inclusivity that Pope Francis embodied.
