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Pope Francis, born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He was the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years and served for 12 years. Known for his energetic leadership of the Catholic Church, his frequent global travels, and his devout faith, Pope Francis was often seen engaging in prayer before the Byzantine icon Salus Populi Romani.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis became known by several titles, highlighting different aspects of his approach and priorities. As "The Pope of Pragmatic Humility," he was recognized for his modest nature since his early days as a pontiff, when he chose to live in a guesthouse rather than the papal apartments and personally carried his own bags. His first public request was for prayers for both his predecessor and for everyone.
Pope Francis also earned the title "The Pope of the Poor" due to his emphasis on helping the less fortunate. He established the World Day of the Poor in 2016 and initiated services for the homeless in Rome. Reflecting on this, he mentioned, "There is no alibi to justify not engaging with the poor when Jesus has identified himself with each of them."
His concern with addressing people's needs extended to "The Pope of Pastoral Tenderness," where he encouraged acts that affirm human dignity. Offering a unique perspective, he once said, "Tenderness is something greater than the logic of the world."
Pope Francis' environmental stance marked him as "The Pope of Protecting the Environment." His encyclical, "Laudato Si’", encouraged the church and followers to protect creation. As he claimed, “Protecting demands goodness, it calls for a certain tenderness.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis held an "Extraordinary Prayer in the Time of Pandemic," earning the title "The Pope of Pandemic Prayer and Consolation." On March 27, 2020, he led a prayer service in an empty St. Peter's Square, highlighting global solidarity during a grievous period.
Pope Francis' openness and informality during interactions, especially on international flights, garnered him the label "The Pope of Plain (and Plane) Talk." His remarks, like "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord, and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” sparked widespread reflection. He further addressed these topics in “The Name of God is Mercy.”
"The Pope Proponent of the Marginalized" was a title reflecting his commitment to marginalized communities. One notable event involved Pope Francis embracing a man with tumors, emphasizing the necessity of accepting marginalized individuals to truly find the Lord. He expressed, "The Gospel of the marginalized is where our credibility is at stake, is discovered and is revealed.”
Francis' papacy was also characterized by his encyclicals such as “Fratelli Tutti” and “Evangelii Gaudium," depicting themes beyond his titles. However, some documents like “Traditionis Custodes” required further clarifications, indicating ongoing debates within church communities.
As the Catholic Church reflects on Pope Francis’ contributions, including challenges yet to be addressed, his teachings on tenderness and spiritual generosity endure, potentially guiding the church as it prepares for a new pope.
Elizabeth Scalia of OSV asks for remembrance and contemplation on what remains unfinished, urging the church to address its ongoing scandals and crises, keeping in mind those in pain. Follow Elizabeth on X @theanchoress.
