April 26, 2025, will be remembered as one of the most solemn days in the history of the Catholic Church, as the faithful bid farewell to one of the most beloved contemporary Supreme Pontiffs — Pope Francis. His papacy not only guided the Church through turbulent times but also redefined its role in a rapidly changing world.
Barely six months after his election, Jorge Mario Bergoglio made a striking admission—"I am a sinner." In a gesture of profound humility, he acknowledged his own fallibility, despite the traditional belief in papal infallibility. While many hoped he would lead a liberal revolution within the Church, he maintained conservative stances on key issues, such as opposing same-sex marriage and declining to ordain women. As one critic put it, Francis was "at heart a conservative," often floating progressive ideas only to retreat when met with resistance.
Nevertheless, Pope Francis earned the title of “The Great Reformer.” He transformed how Catholics communicated and what they prioritised. His landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ reframed climate change as a moral imperative. He spoke out against unrestrained capitalism, initiated financial reforms within the Vatican, and lived a life that echoed the virtues he preached. When he passed, his personal wealth amounted to just $100. He owned no bank accounts, no properties, and refused to draw a Vatican salary, choosing instead to honour his vow of poverty. He eschewed the lavish papal apartments for the modest Casa Santa Marta, living with simplicity and integrity.
Pope Francis’ legacy is not measured in material terms but in moral ones — humility, consistency, and service to the marginalised. He will be laid to rest not in the traditional Vatican crypts, but in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, in a simple wooden coffin. His candle now flickers in the Basilica of Saint Peter, a symbol of a life devoted to compassion and justice.
He was affectionately called the "Pope of the Marginalized" for his deep empathy, humility, and genuine concern for those on the peripheries of society. As the first Latin American Pope, he brought a warmth and pastoral accessibility that stood in contrast to his more reserved predecessors, Benedict XVI and John Paul II. He admitted his mistakes openly, including apologising for defending a bishop involved in a sexual abuse cover-up, and he sought forgiveness from survivors of sex abuse.
Francis chose humility in his daily life—refusing luxury vehicles, delighting in taking selfies with pilgrims, and embracing interfaith dialogue. “All religions are paths to God,” he once said, seeking to build bridges across belief systems.
Dubbed the first "Digital Pope," Francis embraced social media to spread the Gospel, much like Christ used parables. He was the first Pontiff to have a Facebook account and even released an encyclical via Twitter. His presence online attracted over 53 million followers on Twitter (now X) across multiple languages and another 10 million on Instagram. One headline fittingly called him an “internet rock star.”
He fiercely condemned war, racism, exploitation, and authoritarianism, speaking truth to power without hesitation. Within the Church, his most transformative act was the initiation of the "Synod on Synodality"—the largest consultative process in Church history. This dialogue included priests, bishops, laypeople, and women, addressing vital issues like blessing same-sex couples and priestly celibacy. He shifted the Church’s tone from rigid dogmatism to inclusive dialogue, urging clergy to be “gentle, patient, and merciful,” and to live with “simplicity and austerity.”
Yet, Pope Francis was no miracle worker. His vision faced significant resistance, especially from within the hierarchy. Many bishops and clergy remained hesitant to embrace his reforms. As the Church prepares to elect his successor—135 Cardinals will cast their vote after the 15-day mourning period—there remains a lingering uncertainty: will the Church continue along the path of reform initiated by Pope Francis, or will it revert to traditional orthodoxy?
Meanwhile, Indians and Goans hold the lingering regret that the amiable Pope Francis was unable to visit India and Goa. As the world watches and the faithful pray, we say farewell to a leader who redefined the papacy with courage, compassion, and conviction.
Adeus, Papa Francisco. You changed the Church—and us—for the better.