Veteran Leader Pope Francis Passes Away: 1936-2025
In a world marked by economic inequality and social injustice, Pope Francis, the 265th Pope and the first Jesuit from the Southern Hemisphere, made a significant historical impact during his 12-year tenure. His commitment to making the Church universal and administering it with service was evident in his socioeconomic activism and universal church approach.
As the first Latin American pope, Francis brought the concerns of the poor and marginalized to the forefront of the papacy more forcefully than many of his predecessors. He emphasised the Church's role in addressing economic inequality and social injustice, resonating with the legacy of liberation theology, a movement that originated in Latin America, stressing the Church's active involvement in aiding the poor and critiquing oppressive socioeconomic structures through political and civic engagement.
Unlike some earlier popes, Francis adopted a more progressive posture towards liberation theology. He called the Church to remember Gospel values of radical tenderness and to open its doors to the forgotten and excluded. He spoke out against global economic systems he viewed as exploitative and called for wealth redistribution and care for the environment, echoing liberationist calls for justice and systemic change.
Francis' revolutionary moral stance was particularly evident in his opposition to nuclear weapons, declaring their possession immoral and an affront to humanity, advocating for nuclear disarmament through Vatican diplomatic support for treaties banning such arms. This reflects his broader vision linking peace, justice, and human dignity.
Francis' universal approach broke with tradition by emphasising inclusivity and dialogue across cultures, peoples, and political divides. His papacy was marked by historic gestures such as his support for Palestinian rights through visits and calls for a just two-state solution, underscoring peace through dialogue rather than walls or exclusion.
He challenged the Church’s rigidity and centralization, urging openness not only to traditional believers but also to marginalized groups worldwide, seeking to make the Church a global home for the poor, displaced, and disenfranchised.
Mark K. Shriver '86, a College of the Holy Cross alumnus, has written a new book titled "Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis". The author of the book, who is also the president of Save the Children Action Network, offers insights into Pope Francis' pilgrimage and legacy. The book was published by Random House.
As Pope Francis' legacy calls for us to continue the work he was passionately dedicated to, Bryce Maloney '26, the Opinions Editor for an unspecified publication, has written an opinion piece about the upcoming Papal Conclave. The potential successor to Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is an 87-year-old man from Argentina.
Throughout his life, Pope Francis was a fatherly figure to over 1.3 billion faithful around the world. He was known for his humility, kindness, and dedication to uplifting the voices of the marginalized. He was committed to making the Church universal and administering it with service, reminding people that beneath the power of the Papacy, its occupants are called to fill the shoes of the humble fisherman. Even in his final days, he ignored medical recommendations to visit a prison, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his mission.
In sum, Pope Francis has historically impacted the Catholic Church by re-centering its mission on economic justice, peace, and universal inclusion, drawing on and extending liberation theology’s legacy while addressing modern global challenges with prophetic urgency and moral clarity. His legacy calls for us to continue the work he was passionately dedicated to.
- The news of Mark K. Shriver's new book, "Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis", offers insights into Pope Francis' impact and legacy, shedding light on his commitment to social justice and inclusivity.
- Bryce Maloney, the Opinions Editor for an unspecified publication, voices his opinion about the upcoming Papal Conclave, citing the potential successor, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as an individual who embodies the traditional values of leadership, humility, and service that Pope Francis displayed throughout his tenure.
- In his final days, Pope Francis demonstrated his tradition of service by choosing to visit a prison, a move that underscores his belief in the Church's role in addressing economic inequality, social injustice, and the needs of the marginalized, aligning with the values and mission he established during his 12-year tenure.
