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Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, had a papacy that spanned over 12 years. Throughout his tenure, his approach to key issues such as environmental concerns, immigration, and abortion often diverged from traditional American political ideologies, according to experts in Catholic politics and theology.
Vincent Miller from the University of Dayton remarked that Pope Francis was frequently considered liberal; however, Miller suggested that viewing him solely through a political lens fails to capture his role as a pastor. Charlie Camosy from Creighton School of Medicine noted that Pope Francis' papacy initially excited many in the divided U.S. Catholic Church, although divisions remained at the end of his leadership.
Richard Wood from the University of Southern California highlighted that Pope Francis fostered a welcoming atmosphere within the church, promoting dialogues and bridging divides.
Despite this welcoming nature, Stephen P. White of The Catholic University of America observed that Francis didn't significantly influence U.S. politics due to intrinsic political factors. His era coincided with that of President Joe Biden, America's second Catholic president. Camosy stated that Popes should critique powerful nations, and while Pope Francis reiterated the church's stance against abortion, he sometimes seemed disconnected from U.S. political realities.
Pope Francis expressed concern over immigration policies, notably criticizing efforts to deport undocumented immigrants in the U.S. He argued against policies unsupported by the dignity of human beings.
His 2015 encyclical, "Laudato Si'," emphasized the interconnection between environmental care and justice for the poor. This document aligned with environmental priorities of politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders but also reiterated opposition to abortion as part of a "throwaway culture."
In his final days, Pope Francis met with Vice President JD Vance. White described their meeting as emblematic of respectful dialogue beyond politics.
Kate Scanlon from OSV News reported these insights from various experts in the context of U.S. politics.
