Politics
Catholic Leaders, Educators Reflect on Pope Francis’ Life and Legacy
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died Monday after making his last public appearance to bless thousands for Easter Sunday.
He was the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, known as a humble change agent who often clashed with traditional Catholics.
Roman Catholic leaders are now reflecting on his 12 years in the papacy and the future of the church. Auxiliary Bishop Lawrence Sullivan of the Archdiocese of Chicago said although there is sadness and sorrow, the church is thankful for the pope’s guidance.
“We’re certainly going to mourn the loss of a truly wonderful leader, someone who was a great example, who lived their faith in word and action,” Sullivan said. “But it’s also a time to really be grateful for his phenomenal leadership.”
Francis’ final Easter message was a reminder to have dignity and respect for one another, a message Sullivan said was present throughout the pope’s tenure.
Michael Murphy, the director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago, echoed that sentiment, calling Francis a “listening pastor.”
“It doesn’t mean you’re changing doctrine, but it does mean you’re accompanying,” Murphy said. “You’re being more humane and being more of living out the Gospel. And Pope Francis modeled that better than most anybody I can think of, quite honestly.”
This led to some of the larger changes like elevating women to leadership positions in the church, and changing views on contraception and same-sex marriage.
Many are reminded of Francis’ vision of the church as a “field hospital after battle.” Steven Millies, a professor of public theology at the Catholic Theological Union, reflected on the message.
“Every day of life is battle,” Millies said. “And so in that sense, the church is a place where the medicine of mercy is administered, not just for Catholics, but to everyone through all of the countless ministries that the church undertakes. But on the other side of that is the church that is the field hospital that has to recognize its mission is for the whole world. … Pope Francis, I think, with that wonderful metaphor, called all of us together to see that.”
In a statement, Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, called the pope’s death a moment of profound loss but said he wanted to express gratitude “for the gift of his papacy.”
“The finest memorial we can offer is to re-form our hearts as Pope Francis asked — to see our brothers and sisters, to listen to them and to offer our prayers and actions that all may experience the fullness of God’s promise,” Cupich wrote. “As we mourn his passing, I ask that God comfort us, but also strengthen us to remain steadfast in carrying on the work of restoring our Church’s place in the world as a source of hope and an advocate for those in need.”
Francis’ death sets off a weekslong process of allowing the faithful to pay their final respects, first for Vatican officials in the Santa Marta chapel and then in St. Peter’s for the general public, followed by a funeral and a conclave to elect a new pope.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
