The Legacy of Pope Francis: A Lasting Impact on the Catholic Church

Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away this morning at the age of 88. His death brings the curtains down on a papacy defined by reform, inclusivity, and mercy. Since his election in 2013, he has left an indelible mark on the Church and the world. His tenure was marked by a renewed emphasis on humility, social justice, Church reform, and a more compassionate pastoral approach.

A Pope of the Peripheries

From the time he was elected as pontiff, Pope Francis set a different tone for the papacy. He emphasised humility, simplicity, and solidarity with the poor. He famously declined the luxurious papal apartment in favour of a modest room in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta and consistently prioritised personal encounters with those on the margins of society.

His first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (2013), laid the foundation for his vision of a missionary Church—one that goes beyond its walls to serve and evangelise. He insisted that the Church must always be outward-looking, addressing real-world issues with compassion and urgency.

A Papacy of Reform

Pope Francis pushed for greater transparency in the Vatican’s financial operations, establishing new oversight bodies and modernising outdated systems. He also worked to decentralise Church governance, encouraging local bishops and dioceses to take on more responsibility.

He also addressed the global clerical abuse crisis by introducing stricter policies and new accountability structures. His commitment to a zero-tolerance approach marked a turning point in how the Church confronts abuse committed by its clergy.

Encouraging Lay Involvement

A key part of Francis’s reform agenda was increasing lay participation, especially that of women. His 2022 document 'Praedicate Evangelium' restructured the Roman Curia, placing evangelisation and decentralisation at its core while explicitly encouraging greater involvement from the laity.

Through the Synod on Synodality, Francis opened up the Church’s decision-making processes to laypeople, including women, fostering broader representation and inclusivity.

‘The Green Pope’

Pope Francis made a profound impact as a global advocate for environmental care. His landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015) called for urgent action against climate change and redefined ecological concern as a moral and spiritual imperative. In Laudate Deum (2023), he renewed his appeal to global leaders to take stronger action against climate change.

A Global Voice for Justice and Peace

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis consistently addressed global injustice. In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (2020), he emphasised universal fraternity, condemning nationalism, xenophobia, and economic inequality. He passionately advocated for migrants and refugees, urging countries to adopt policies of hospitality and solidarity.

He also played a key role in global diplomacy by mediating the thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations and persistently calling for peace in war zones.

A Champion of Mercy and Inclusion

Perhaps the most defining aspect of Pope Francis’ papacy was his focus on mercy. The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2015–2016) and his apostolic letter Misericordia et Misera (2016) extended forgiveness to the forefront of Catholic teaching. He empowered priests to absolve certain serious sins previously reserved for bishops. Inclusivity was another hallmark of his papacy. While upholding Church teachings, he encouraged greater acceptance for divorced and remarried Catholics and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Conclusion

Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of transformation and a renewed call to action. Though his reforms faced resistance, his commitment to a more inclusive, humble, and engaged Church remains his enduring gift to the faithful. His legacy will be felt for generations to come, reshaping theology, social engagement, and the very structure of the Catholic Church.

By Catholic Connect Reporter