Pope Francis Changed the Church-Now It's Time to Move Forward

On April 21st, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at 88, marking the end of his revolutionary twelve-year papacy. He passed peacefully at this residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta after experiencing a stroke and irreversible heart failure. A funeral was held on April 26th in St. Peter's Square. His funeral gathered over 250,00 mourners, including world leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, and Prince William. Once the ceremony concluded, Pope Francis was quietly laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a place he deeply cherished for its Salus Populi Romani icon. 

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. His pontificate was marked by humility, social justice advocacy, and his work to connect the Church's teachings with modern-day challenges. He was known for his outreach to marginalized communities and his focus on mercy over strict doctrine. He was the first Pope to openly take on major social justice issues, from immigration, environment, and LGBTQ communities, rarely, if ever, been seen by a sitting Pope. Though he upheld traditional Catholic teachings, he emphasized respect and dialogue, famously saying, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about the fate of gay Catholics. His papacy was a breath of fresh air for many people who had long felt unseen by the Catholic Church.

Around the world, people gathered in public squares to mourn Pope Francis's passing. In Buenos Aires, his hometown, thousands lit candles outside the Metropolitan Cathedral, remembering the humble priest who was to lead the global Church. In speeches and statements, many praised his tireless advocacy for peace as well as his devotion to bridging divides between faiths. Leaders from the United Nations to local parliaments reflected on how his moral voice shaped conversations on justice, mercy, and human dignity. 

Personally, this moment hit close to home. I was baptized Catholic, but my mother stopped practicing years ago because she didn't agree with some of the Church's more rigid teachings and beliefs, particularly the issues of women's rights and LGBTQ. Growing up, I always felt torn between the beauty of the faith I had not fully explored and the parts that felt stuck in the past. Seeing Pope Francis lead with compassion and openly address modern-day struggles gave me—and many others—hope that the Church could evolve without losing its soul.

As the Church enters a period of mourning, preparations are underway for the conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor. The next Pope will face the challenge of carrying reforms while responding to the hopes of Catholics worldwide. I hope the next Pope will be someone younger, someone who understands the real struggles of today's younger generation---climate change, mental health, and the need for a more inclusive Church. A leader who won't shy away from reforms that many still see as "off-limits" and is not afraid to push even further toward social justice and change.

Source

"Crowds Gather to Say Goodbye to Pope Francis in St Peter's Square." BBC News, 26 Apr. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15v0zdnnjqo

Horowitz, Jason, and Elisabetta Povoledo. "Pope Francis Mourned by Thousands at Funeral in St. Peter’s Square." The New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/world/europe/pope-francis-funeral-st-peters-square.html.

"Pope Francis: His Life, His Legacy, and His Call for Change." BBC News, 27 Apr. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98zxx13d3go

Sherwood, Harriet. "Pope Francis’s Final Wish: Rich Nations Must Help the World’s Poorest with Debt Relief." The Guardian, 27 Apr. 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/pope-francis-wishes-richer-nations-help-poorest-debt-relief