Vatican City: Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, leaves behind a transformative papacy marked by unprecedented firsts, extensive global outreach, and significant doctrinal writings.
A Historic Election
Elected on March 13, 2013, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. His election was historic—not only was he the first pope from Latin America, but also the first Jesuit to hold the papal office, and the first to adopt the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Time as Pontiff
Pope Francis’ pontificate lasted over 11 years, outstripping the average 7.5-year reign of his predecessors. He became the second oldest pope in Church history, surpassed only by Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 at the age of 93. While Pope Benedict XVI lived to 95, he resigned at 85, making Francis the oldest reigning pope in recent memory.
Appointments and Influence
Under Francis’ leadership, the College of Cardinals grew to 252 members, of whom 135 are currently eligible to vote in a future papal conclave. Notably, Francis appointed 108 of these cardinal electors, giving his vision of the Church a significant role in shaping its future direction.
A Globetrotting Pontiff
Francis was a pope on the move, undertaking 47 international trips and visiting over 65 countries and territories, covering more than 465,000 kilometers (289,000 miles). His travels reflected his mission to reach the peripheries, support marginalized communities, and advocate for peace and interfaith dialogue.
Key International Visits:
- 2013: Brazil
- 2014: Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Israel, South Korea, Albania, France, Turkey
- 2015: Sri Lanka, Philippines, U.S., Cuba, Kenya, Uganda, among others
- 2016–2019: Mexico, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Chile, Ireland, Japan, UAE, Madagascar
- 2020: No foreign trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2021–2024: Iraq, Canada, Bahrain, Congo, Mongolia, Indonesia, and more
In Italy alone, he made around 37 domestic visits, beginning with Lampedusa in July 2013, where he denounced the plight of migrants risking their lives at sea.
Saints and Beatifications
Pope Francis canonized over 900 new saints, including prominent figures such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II, and Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, the latter killed in 1980 for defending human rights. His canonizations also included 800 Martyrs of Otranto, slaughtered in 1480 by Ottoman invaders.
He also beatified over 1,350 individuals, advancing them one step closer to sainthood and emphasizing the Church’s commitment to remembering and honoring lives of virtue and sacrifice.
Also Read | Argentina Mourns the Death of Pope Francis, Its Revered Son
Doctrinal Legacy: Encyclicals and Major Writings
Francis penned four encyclicals, the most authoritative form of papal teaching:
- Lumen Fidei (2013) – On the central role of Christian faith; completed from a draft by Pope Benedict XVI.
- Laudato Si (2015) – A groundbreaking call for environmental stewardship, later expanded in Laudate Deum (2023).
- Fratelli Tutti (2020) – A reflection on global fraternity and solidarity in a post-pandemic world.
- Dilexit Nos (2024) – A spiritual critique of materialism urging Catholics to abandon the “mad pursuit” of wealth in favor of deepened faith.
Also Read | Gaza’s Christians ‘Heartbroken’ Over Pope Francis, Who Called Them Every Night
Beyond encyclicals, Pope Francis authored multiple Apostolic Constitutions, Exhortations, and pastoral letters, shaping contemporary Catholic thought on climate change, social justice, migration, and mercy.
