The world lost its shining example of humility, kindness and understanding during the early hours of Monday morning. Pope Francis, a figure with many historic firsts as the sovereign leader of the Vatican, died just hours after calling for an end to the mistreatment of immigrants and preaching for a ceasefire in Gaza on Easter Sunday.
Up until the end of his life, Francis led the charge for a common understanding of what Christianity can be. Instead of focusing on upholding traditional moral standards, he used his papal influence to push for respect of LGBTQIA+ people, an end to poverty and dialogue between religions. Francis was known not for populist appeals and anger-stoking sermons, but instead for promoting what he believed to be the base Christian value of empathy.
The accomplishments Francis had before his death are many. Before he was selected as the next pope in 2013, his name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the premier Argentine representative of his faith. After being selected, he chose his papal name after Saint Francis of Assisi, a preview of what his teachings would be focused on — uplifting the economically disadvantaged and the world’s most vulnerable, a radical new step for the Vatican. When Bergoglio became Francis, he became the first Latin American pope, the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from outside of Europe since the 8th century.
Francis’ papacy’s achievements did not end at his selection. His global outreach put refugees, the impoverished and immigrants at the forefront, calling for increased liberties and protections for them. He derided capitalism and overconsumption repeatedly and aimed for more integration of women into Catholicism. He played a crucial role in reinstating diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S.
Perhaps most importantly, Francis called the Synod on Synodality in October 2021, a series of meetings between 364 bishops, cardinals and Catholic theologians to discuss what the church’s future should look like. Synods are incredibly important meetings where foundational church policy is decided. Traditionally, only bishops were invited to Synods, but Francis changed this to include a wide variety of Catholics.
The Synod of Synodality was the most important event in the Catholic Church’s recent history. Francis, instead of promoting fundamentalism, used it to call for swift and immediate action against climate change and promote women’s involvement — five women and one man were appointed as consultors to the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in the Catholic Church.
However, Francis’ legacy should not be solely defined by the steps he took in making global peace a possibility. It should instead be defined by his many small acts of humility, goodwill and abounding love for humanity.
Francis visited Rome’s Regina Coeli prison during Holy Thursday. There, he said he would normally wash the feet of the prisoners, like he did last year, but he was not healthy enough to do so. At Christmas mass, photos of him staring solemnly at the Vatican’s Nativity Scene with baby Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh went viral. On Italy’s most popular prime-time talk show, Francis said, “What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith but my own personal view: I like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is.”
The pain felt by the loss of Pope Francis is impossible to describe. I was raised Catholic, and although my own religious identity is ever in flux, the weight of Francis’ death is still felt. All Catholics should mourn the loss of a man who went to great lengths to prove that the Bible is not a weapon for the mighty, but a boon for the weak. When all around you the core principles of Jesus’ teachings are gone, be more like Pope Francis. Be kind.
Jackson McCoy is a sophomore studying journalism and environmental studies at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Jackson know by emailing or tweeting him at jm049122@ohio.edu.
