Pope Francis, a voice that resonated across the world

On this Easter Monday morning of 2025, the world awoke to a quiet grief: Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88. The first pope from the Global South, and the first Jesuit to ascend to the See of Peter, Jorge Mario Bergoglio leaves behind a deeply transformative spiritual, social, and political legacy.

His papal name, chosen in homage to Saint Francis of Assisi, already revealed his vision: a Church at the service of the poor, committed to fraternity, peace, and the care of creation. It is this rare coherence between words and life—especially at such a level of responsibility—that the world now honors.

A Voice for the Forgotten

From the moment of his election in 2013, Pope Francis set the Church on a new course—toward the peripheries, toward wounded lives, toward those left behind by history and society. Rejecting the symbols of pontifical grandeur, he chose a life marked by humility and simplicity, a direct voice, and a deep closeness to the struggles of the real world.

His encyclical Laudato si’, praised far beyond Catholic circles, illuminated the link between ecological crisis and social suffering. In Fratelli tutti, he reminded the world that fraternity is not a naïve ideal, but a human and spiritual duty. Together, these texts made care for the Earth and the pursuit of social justice not just political or ethical issues, but sacred responsibilities—in the spirit of Saint Francis, the original ecological conscience of the Church.

A Man of Dialogue and Encounter

A true bridge-builder between spiritual traditions, Francis forged meaningful connections with Islam, Judaism, and even Buddhism, in a sincere pursuit of encounter, mutual respect, and peace—a vision of universal fraternity. His historic meeting with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb of Al-Azhar led to the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, a defining text of our time, calling for peace, coexistence, and unity in diversity.

Far from any form of relativism, he maintained a clear stance: Christian identity grows stronger through encounter, not withdrawal. He did not water down the faith—he extended his hand. And he did so with courage.

Reforms, Resistance, and Seeds Sown

Fully aware of the wounds within the Church, Francis undertook painful but necessary reforms: Vatican governance, response to abuse, and the simplification of canonical processes. He did not achieve everything, but he opened paths. He also insisted on the dignity of women in the Church, advocating for greater equality, even though the glass ceiling remains largely unbroken.

Regarding gay people, his famous “Who am I to judge?”—spoken on a plane—resonated worldwide. He didn’t alter doctrine, but he changed the tone. He humanized the Church’s view of realities long silenced or condemned.

A gentle authority, a vivid memory, a sparkling mind

Pope Francis was no monarch. He was a pastor. Not an austere theologian, but a man of the field—one who spoke from experience, suffering, and compassion. A courageous man. His authority came not from dogma, but from the deeply Christ-like coherence of a life dedicated to the smallest and most vulnerable.

While remaining fully faithful to Catholic tradition, he embodied a Church that was open and fraternal. His measured words, his humility, and that grave gentleness that defined him resonated far beyond the boundaries of faith.

Through his life, he became the face of a Church that can still tend to wounds, repair injustice, reconcile peoples—and, in a fractured world, work for peace.

Further reading

• Vatican News (EN) – Official portal
• The New York Times – Obituary & archive
• BBC – In-depth reporting on Pope Francis