International

20 Defining Moments of Pope Francis’s Historic Papacy

Published

4 weeks ago

Apr 21, 2025.

Femi Fabunmi

Jandor Condoles Lagos Catholics on Pope Francis' Passing

Firsts and Simplicity: Pope Francis was the first Jesuit and Latin American Pope, known for rejecting papal luxuries and living modestly.
Advocate for Justice: He championed the poor, spoke boldly against capitalism, and took strong stances on climate change, abuse reforms, and refugee protection.
Legacy of Reform: A tireless reformer and global peacemaker, his papacy emphasized humility, inclusion, interfaith dialogue, and transparency in the Church.

1. First Jesuit Pope

Pope Francis became the first Jesuit to hold the papacy in 2013, bringing the order’s values of education, humility, and service to the forefront.

2. A Pontiff of Firsts

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Pope from Latin America, the first non-European in over 1,200 years, and the first to adopt the name “Francis,” inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.

3. A Simpler Papacy

Rejecting the traditional papal apartment, he chose to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta. On his first day, he took a bus with cardinals and paid his own hotel bill.

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4. Advocate for the Poor

He called for a “poor Church for the poor,” emphasizing social justice and care for the marginalized.

5. Unfiltered on Capitalism

Francis criticized unregulated capitalism, calling it the “dung of the devil,” and urged economies to put people above profit.

6. A Voice for the Planet

His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ called for environmental protection, identifying climate change as a major global challenge.

7. Reshaping the Papal Funeral

He simplified the funeral process, choosing a wooden coffin with zinc lining and a burial outside the Vatican, at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

8. The People’s Pope

His warm and personal approach—hugging children, kissing feet, and personally contacting Catholics—won hearts around the world.

9. Defender of Refugees

After visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, he brought 12 Syrian Muslims to safety and condemned the use of migrants as political tools.

10. Confronting Abuse in the Church

Initially slow to act on clerical abuse, he later introduced reforms, including mandatory reporting and protections for whistleblowers.

11. Progressive but Rooted

Though he showed openness on issues like homosexuality, famously saying “Who am I to judge?”, he upheld traditional views on abortion and marriage.

12. Champion for the Marginalised

He frequently highlighted the plight of prisoners, victims of trafficking, and war survivors, focusing on mercy over condemnation.

13. Interfaith Peacemaker

He opposed linking Islam to terrorism after attacks and reminded the world that extremism affects all religions, including Catholicism.

14. Technological Wisdom

He warned youth against digital addiction, saying, “Happiness is not an app you can download,” yet amassed 19 million English-language Twitter followers.

15. Health Challenges

Despite losing part of a lung as a young man and undergoing later surgeries, he remained active in public life.

16. Reformer at Heart

Francis worked to overhaul Vatican bureaucracy, promoting transparency and prioritizing the disenfranchised.

17. A Global Pilgrim

He visited over 50 countries, often choosing regions affected by conflict or neglect, using his presence to promote peace.

18. A Pope of Dialogue

He supported synodality—shared Church governance—and encouraged lay participation, notably in the Amazon Synod.

19. Tireless Until the End

Even while hospitalized, he stayed active—making daily calls to Gaza’s Holy Family Church during the 2023 conflict.

20. Resignation Ready

He revealed he had written a resignation letter in 2013 in case of health incapacity, a sign of humility and preparation.