By Barnes Mawrie, SDB
The sudden demise of Pope Francis on April 21, Easter Monday morning, has left the world shock stricken. Just on Easter Sunday morning the pontiff gave his Urbis et Orbis blessing to the throng of believers gathered at the Vatican Square. However, his death during the Easter Octave is theologically and spiritually symbolic, signifying his lifelong cherished message of “hope.” Just as Easter is the greatest symbol of hope for the mortal humans, because Christ through his resurrection has conquered sin and death once and for all, so too Pope Francis’ death on this very day, inspires hope for all Christians, namely, that Christ would raise him to eternal life and so too everyone who believes in him.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born to immigrant Italian parents on 17th December 1936. He joined the Jesuit Congregation in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. In 1973 he was elected provincial superior of Argentina. He obtained his Master Degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Buenos Aires and taught in the seminary. In 1998 he was appointed archbishop of Buenos Aires by Pope John Paul II. Later during the Consistory of 2001, he was made a cardinal by the same Pope. After the shocking resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio was elected pope to the surprise of Christians all over the world. Pope Francis stands for many “firsts” in the history of papacy. He is the first pontiff from outside of Europe, the first from Latin America. He is the first Jesuit pope and the first from immigrant parents. When it comes to his papal lifestyle, he also distinguishes himself as the “first” in many aspects. He is the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi (therefore known as Pope Francis). True to his patron’s name, Pope Francis has voluntarily chosen to live a simple and humble lifestyle. He refused to live in the papal palace but chose to live as an ordinary prelate in Domus Sanctae Marthae hospice. He often ate with the Vatican staff and not in his dining room. A leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics in the world, yet he lived a very unassuming life, a true shepherd who had “the smell of the sheep.”
Talking about the legacy of Pope Francis, let me speak of the three most significant ones. First of all, he was an apostle and champion of the poor and the marginalized. He often emphasized on the need to go to the “periphery” of society in order to encounter the poorest of the poor, the discriminated sections of society and the helpless ones. This explains his great concern for the plight of the immigrants from poor countries. His first visit as pope was to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the arrival point of many immigrants from North African countries. The fact that he made many apostolic journeys to poorer nations both in Asia and Africa speaks volumes of his apostolic priority. He also made sure to appoint cardinals from minority groups and he empowered women by elevating them to important administrative offices at the Vatican.
Secondly, Pope Francis has proven himself to be a true champion of the environment. His encyclical Laudato Si published in 2015, is truly the magna carta of the Church’s teaching on care for the environment. The encyclical is truly a holistic approach to the problem of climate change. In it he was able to demonstrate the inherent connection between politics, economics, science and spirituality. According to him, solving ecological problems calls for ecological conversion of humans for the two are interconnected. This implies putting an end to greed, injustice, pride and ambition. Pope Francis called for world solidarity and urged rich nations to curtail their consumerist behaviour and share generously with the poorer nations. Consumerism is what leads to unabated exploitation of Mother Nature which consequently leads to more destruction of the planet and then the crisis of climate change, he said. His teaching on this resounds the words of Gandhiji who said “the earth has enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.” In his later encyclical Fratelli Tutti published in 2020, he reiterates this same theme of sharing and solidarity.
Thirdly, Pope Francis has left the world a legacy of hope and peace. He took great trouble to strengthen ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue. He was the first pope to visit many Muslim countries; met Muslim leaders and forged friendships with them. He never ceased to speak of peace and reconciliation and he was acutely pained by the on-going wars in Ukraine and Palestine and urged their leaders to find a peaceful solution. His last message on Easter morning before his death was to call for peace in these countries and urging Christians to pray for this intention.
Over eight centuries ago, a humble friar by the name of Francis of Assisi, came to remind the Church and congregation of Jesus who lived a poor and humble life. He brought reform to an almost decadent Church of the time. His message and his personal example, resounded loud in the Church and brought about a great conversion within. From the scandalous lifestyle of pomp and extravagance, the Church gradually steered herself towards the simplicity of her Master. By divine intervention, the first two decades of the 21st century saw the entrance of another humble reformer in the person of Pope Francis. Following the example of his patron, Pope Francis has affected a great reform in the modern Church by his life of simplicity, love and concern for the poor and marginalized, compassion for the wayward and erring, openness to everyone irrespective of race, colour or creed and his message of hope and peace for the world.
The demise of Pope Francis is truly a great loss for the Church and for humanity itself. The throng of people flocking to pay homage to his mortal remains at St. Peter’s Basilica, demonstrates how much respect and love people have for this great and noble pontiff. Pope Francis may no longer be physically with us, but his valuable legacy remains with us and will continue to inspire people from age to age.