Papa Francisco — Remembering the Man Who Brought The Papacy Closer to Us All
Pope Francis died on the Morning of Easter, April 21, 2025, bringing an end to an extraordinary papacy, albeit one that began unpredictably almost 12 years ago.
‘Brothers and Sisters, good evening. You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here I am.’
The above were the first words of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, as he introduced himself to the world that cold evening. There was no particular sophistication attached to him, just an ordinary, witty man who wanted to get to business.
And straight to business he went. Pope Francis, in sharp contrast to the conservative leanings of his predecessor, opened the doors of the Church to anyone who cared to enter. He did not claim to speak for God, but he understood that just like Jesus, the church is meant to serve as a place of refuge.
In a rapidly changing world, with the West moving towards dechristianization, and the Church needing an authority figure to achieve a much-needed balance between adapting to the times and retaining its core traditional values fully embodied in its history, Francis became that man.
As the news of his death filtered in on Monday, different thoughts were on my head; Many of which I could not put into words. However, the core emotion was sadness. It seemed so long since the Church had a Pope with an identity beyond the Pristine walls of the Vatican.
Throughout his nearly 13 years of Papacy, Pope Francis has shown us that beneath the adornments and opulence of the Vatican, there lies an imperfect church that is bent on doing better, rewriting the dark periods of its history, and moving with intent towards the future with hope.
He showed us that Popes were humans too, that they also had their moments of anger, irritation, and tiredness, among other emotions. He showed us the humanity behind the leader of the world's largest Christian denomination.
He rejected the undeniable luxury that Popes before him had enjoyed. He refused to live in the Apostolic Palace, the acclaimed Papal Palace. Choosing instead to reside in the modest ‘Casa Santa Marta’ while regularly celebrating Mass in the Chapel attached.
In a private meeting with the founder of Repubblica, one of Italy’s most widely read newspapers, Eugenio Scalfari, in 2018. The Pope was asked if he knew where evil souls go, and if they were consigned to burn in hell. Francis, in his usual disarming manner, responded.
‘What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith, but my personal view. I like to think of hell as empty. I hope it is’
In a world where, from inception, many Christian denominations, although holding polarising thoughts on different topics in Christendom, have been united on the concept of Heaven and Hell. More like you offend God, the creator, you get on his bad side, and your reward after death would be hell. You listen to his commandments, obey all his words, and you will be rewarded with Heaven.
Pope Francis’s take, although personal, offered a refreshing perspective on a rigid point of view that has stood for centuries, one that has refused to acknowledge the many nuances in our relationship with God. Heaven and Hell might be real after all, but Pope Francis’s statement echoed the openness of the church that he stood for throughout his papacy.
God’s Lone Soldier in a Dark World
‘Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death, but for life.’
The above were the last words he tweeted on Easter Sunday, and true to his words, he was made for life, and he did everything to preserve its sanctity. In a world that is rapidly losing its essence, Pope Francis was a gift that continued to give until his passing.
Pope Francis loved the Poor, he showed compassion to everyone, and never shied away from speaking on even the most controversial topics. In his final Easter message, he called the ongoing genocide in Gaza, urging both parties involved to close ranks and choose peace.
Gaza was not an anomaly; Pope Francis never missed the opportunity to advocate for peace. He spoke out against the death penalty, championed the cause of migrants, and constantly asked us all to do better in all our relationships.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was the first Pope from South America, but he sure made that count. He ensured the effective representation of underserved communities, leading to the unprecedented growth of the catholic community in unexpected places. Born to Italian migrants and shaped by the conflicts of different European countries and the Cold War, he never allowed his background to define him.
Pope Francis was not as intellectual in style like Pope Benedict XVI, Neither does he possess the vigor of Pope John Paul II, but he managed to build upon the legacies of the two and achieve a balance that benefited the church. Francis lived, and I am super grateful that I got to witness his papacy.
So while we wait for the famed white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and listen for the announcement of ‘Habemus Papam’ (We have a new Pope), the focus should be on the life and times of Papa Francisco. He lived for the church, and he stood for the truth in every way.
As expected, there are already speculations about who the next leader of the church will be. We can only hope that the Holy Spirit will guide the church in choosing a leader to continue the reforms of Francis. We had a good one, we had a real one. May he rest well. Adieu Papa Francisco
