Francis, a Pope of Many Firsts

The papacy of Pope Francis, who blended deep Catholic tradition with bold calls for inclusion and reform, was marked by several pioneering initiatives and approaches. He was truly a pope of many firsts—a visionary who brought fresh perspectives to the Church and the world.

1. The First Jesuit Pope

Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first to take the name “Francis” in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, and notably, the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.

According to theologian Timothy Gabrielli of the University of Dayton, the Jesuit tradition deeply shaped his papacy. Jesuits emphasise the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola—a practice of reflection and discernment aimed at deepening one’s relationship with God and addressing root causes rather than surface-level issues. This approach influenced Francis’ responses to climate change, poverty, and clerical abuse.

2. A Pope Open to LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Francis made global headlines early in his tenure with his remark, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” His compassionate tone toward LGBTQ+ individuals marked a notable shift in the Church’s pastoral approach.

As Steven Millies of the Catholic Theological Union notes, Francis did not modify Church doctrine, but emphasised teachings on human dignity and justice, urging Catholics to approach others with compassion.

3. A Pope Who Apologised

While not the first pope to express regret on behalf of the Church, Francis brought profound moral weight to his apologies. He publicly acknowledged the Church’s role in Canada’s residential school abuses and addressed clerical abuse scandals around the world.

Annie Selak of Georgetown University highlights the significance of these gestures. Though they didn’t always lead to full institutional accountability, they marked meaningful steps toward healing and reconciliation within the Church and in broader society.

4. A Pope Who Listened

One of Pope Francis’ most important reforms was transforming the Synod of Bishops into a more participatory, listening-centred process. Through the Synod on Synodality, laypeople were, for the first time, given both voice and vote alongside bishops. Catholics worldwide were invited to share their concerns and hopes.

Religious studies scholar Daniel Speed Thompson describes this as a move away from top-down governance toward a model grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and shared discernment.

5. “A Theologian of the Tango”

Pope Francis once joked that tango was in his blood—and on his birthday, St. Peter’s Square even became a dance floor. But the dance also became a symbol of his theology.

With its demands for delicate balance and mutual trust, Tango reflected Francis’ leadership style: gracefully navigating tensions between tradition and innovation, culture and faith. His was a papacy of careful steps, grounded in relationship, humility, and trust.

These five aspects underscore how Pope Francis’ papacy was one of profound firsts. He pioneered initiatives that helped evolve the Church, making it more meaningful, purposeful, and attuned to the needs of the modern world.

Note: The views expressed are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Catholic Connect

Source: The Conversation