Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leaves behind a legacy of humility, reform, and radical compassion that reshaped the Catholic Church’s role in the modern world. The first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis, he died on April 21, 2025, at 88, after a papacy marked by sweeping social advocacy, environmental stewardship, and efforts to heal divisions within and beyond the Church .

Early Life and Path to the Priesthood

Bergoglio was the son of Italian immigrants, Mario and Regina Sívori, who instilled in him a deep sense of frugality and service. After surviving a severe bout of pneumonia at 21, which led to the removal of part of his right lung, he abandoned a career as a chemical technician to join the Jesuits in 1958 . His early years as a priest were shaped by Argentina’s political turmoil, including the 1976–1983 Dirty War, during which he navigated accusations of both complicity and covert resistance to the military dictatorship. Critics alleged he failed to protect two Jesuit priests kidnapped by the regime, though he maintained he worked behind the scenes to secure their release .

Ordained in 1969, Bergoglio rose through the ranks, becoming Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and a cardinal in 2001. Known for living simply—eschewing the archbishop’s palace for a modest apartment and public transit—he earned the nickname “the Bishop of the Slums” for his work in impoverished neighborhoods . His emphasis on social justice clashed with Argentina’s center-left governments, particularly over same-sex marriage, which he vehemently opposed .

---

A Transformative Papacy

Elected pope in 2013 following Benedict XVI’s historic resignation, Bergoglio chose the name Francis to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor. From the outset, he broke tradition: rejecting ornate papal vestments, residing in the Vatican guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace, and prioritizing dialogue over dogma .

Key Achievements

1. Environmental Advocacy: His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ galvanized global climate action, framing environmental degradation as a moral crisis rooted in greed and inequality. It became a cornerstone of his vision for “integral ecology,” linking care for Earth with justice for the marginalized .
2. Social Justice and Inclusion: Francis championed a “Church for the poor,” condemning unchecked capitalism and advocating for refugees, migrants, and Indigenous communities. He apologized for the Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system and called for LGBTQ+ inclusion, famously stating, “Who am I to judge?” while upholding traditional teachings on marriage .
3. Institutional Reforms: He decentralized Vatican authority, empowering bishops’ conferences and laypeople. His 2022 Synod on Synodality emphasized collective discernment, inviting women and lay Catholics to vote in Church assemblies for the first time .
4. Diplomacy and Peacebuilding: Francis brokered the U.S.-Cuba thaw, criticized anti-immigrant policies, and advocated for nuclear disarmament. He also negotiated a controversial deal with China on bishop appointments, aiming to unify underground and state-sanctioned Catholic communities .
5. Confronting Abuse Scandals: While criticized for slow action, he mandated global reporting protocols for clergy abuse in 2019 and met survivors, though his defense of accused bishops in Chile sparked backlash .

---

Controversies and Challenges

Francis’s papacy polarized conservatives, who accused him of sowing confusion through informal remarks on issues like Communion for divorced Catholics and contraception. Traditionalists bristled at his relaxed style, such as washing the feet of women and Muslims on Holy Thursday, and his openness to blessing same-sex couples . His encyclical Amoris Laetitia (2016), which allowed pastoral flexibility for remarried Catholics, ignited fierce debate, with some bishops rejecting its guidelines .

Critics also noted contradictions: while he elevated women to Vatican roles, he upheld the ban on female priesthood and declined to restore the female diaconate. His economic critiques clashed with U.S. bishops’ focus on abortion, highlighting tensions between his “consistent ethic of life” and regional priorities .

---

Final Days and Legacy

Francis’s health declined in his final years, yet he remained active, delivering his last Easter blessing just a day before his death. His funeral on April 26, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica, will draw global leaders and millions mourning the loss of a pope who redefined leadership through humility .

Historian Massimo Faggioli likened his impact to “steering a massive ship—slowly, but irrevocably, toward renewal” . While his reforms face an uncertain future, Francis’s emphasis on mercy, ecological justice, and a Church “bruised and dirty from being in the streets” ensures his place as a transformative figure in Catholic history .

As the world bids farewell, his words in Evangelii Gaudium resonate: “The Church must be a home for all, not a small chapel for the perfect” . In death, as in life, Pope Francis embodied that vision.