Farewell Pope Francis. The Pontiff of change

“Brothers and sisters, good evening,” — with these words Pope Francis introduced himself to the faithful on the evening of his election, immediately entering the hearts of the people. Simplicity, depth, and friendship have been the cornerstones of his pontificate. Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, after months of suffering and resistance to an illness that was slowly consuming him. However, he managed to celebrate one final Easter with his Church. And on the day of the Angel, he left us.

Pope Francis has died. The news is of historic significance, especially because his papacy was marked by global phenomena — from the resurgence of large-scale migration, to the pandemic, to wars. But Francis’ pontificate was also extremely influential from the perspective of Vatican politics. In addition to his openness toward homosexuals, in the Synods of 2015 and 2016 he allowed divorced and remarried individuals to receive the sacraments again, and he urged greater attention toward civil unions, unmarried couples, and homosexuals — for whom he asked for “respect and acceptance.”

On April 11, 2015, Pope Francis also officially called for an extraordinary Jubilee dedicated to mercy, which lasted from December 8, 2015, to November 20, 2016. Another historic gesture came in 2016: returning from the Greek island of Lesbos, where he had traveled in solidarity with refugees, he decided to bring 12 of them with him back to Rome.

During his years as Pontiff, Bergoglio also led numerous reforms, including those of the Roman Curia, the Vatican Bank (IOR), and the Vatican penal code. Another turning point was certainly the gradual easing of relations with China. He also made many appeals in the fight against climate change. Then, in 2023 — after nearly four years of experimentation, and consultations with episcopal conferences and Roman Curia dicasteries — Pope Francis promulgated new procedures to prevent and combat sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.

On June 14, 2024, Bergoglio made history again as the first Pope to attend the G7 summit, held in Puglia.

What images will we carry with us of this beloved Pope? Surely, one of the most iconic will remain the image of him imparting a plenary indulgence during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown — standing alone in a dramatically empty and silent St. Peter’s Square.

“Pope Francis has returned to the house of the Father,” commented Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “This is news that saddens us deeply, for we have lost a great man and a great shepherd. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his counsel, and his teachings, which never wavered — even in times of trial and suffering. In the meditations of the Way of the Cross, he reminded us of the power of giving, which allows everything to bloom again and is capable of reconciling what seems irreconcilable in human eyes. Once again, he called on the world to have the courage to change course — to walk a path that ‘does not destroy, but cultivates, repairs, and protects.’ We will walk in that direction, to seek the path of peace, pursue the common good, and build a fairer and more just society. His magisterium and his legacy will not be lost. We bid farewell to the Holy Father with hearts full of sorrow, but we know that he is now at peace with the Lord.”

Pope Francis has died. The world pauses for a moment — to reflect, to meditate, to remember.