Pope Francis Was a Beacon of Compassion in a Troubled World

Today, Pope Francis, as per his wish, will be buried in Saint Mary Major and not in St. Peter’s. This simple wish personifies the character of one of the holiest men in our times.  In a world increasingly characterised by division, distrust, and disillusionment, Pope Francis stands as a towering figure of moral clarity and humble compassion. Since his election in 2013 as the 266th Bishop of Rome, Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy, he redefined what it means to be a spiritual leader in the 21st century.

His papacy has been marked not by grandeur or dogma, but by an unrelenting commitment to humanity, mercy, and social justice.

Pope Francis brought a renewed sense of relevance to the Catholic Church, not by altering its core teachings, but by shifting its tone – from one of judgment to one of love. In doing so, he has made the Church more accessible to millions who once felt alienated by its rigidity.

With his radical humility he broke with centuries-old tradition by choosing simpler papal attire, rejecting the opulent Apostolic Palace for a modest apartment in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, and personally paying his hotel bill after his election. He thus sent a clear message: this is a pope who leads not from a throne, but from among the people.

Pope Francis’s emphasis on inclusivity has been perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of his papacy. He consistently championed the marginalised – from the poor and refugees to the LGBTQ+ community and prisoners. His oft-quoted remark “Who am I to judge?” in reference to gay Catholics signalled a significant departure from the Church’s traditionally harsh stance and sparked global conversation on acceptance and dignity.

In his encyclicals and public addresses, Francis has articulated a profound vision of social justice that integrates care for the poor, environmental stewardship, and peace-building. His 2015 'Encyclical Laudato Si’, a passionate call for environmental action and a rebuke of consumerist excess, was hailed across the world. In one stroke he made environmental sustainability and ecological degradation into a scientific issue that concerned all.

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI.

Time and again, he called on world leaders to address the structural injustices that sustain poverty and conflict. He has condemned the arms trade, human trafficking, and economic systems that prioritise profit over people. In a speech to the US Congress in 2015, he invoked Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton – a striking lineup that underscored his desire to bridge faith with civil responsibility and ethical governance.

Pope Francis has also emerged as a rare moral voice in international diplomacy. He played a key role in restoring diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba and repeatedly offered the Vatican as a neutral ground for dialogue and reconciliation in regions beset by violence, such as Syria, South Sudan, and Ukraine. In times when even democracies are challenged, Francis’s voice carried weight. In a time of political polarisation, rising authoritarianism, and global instability, Francis offered a vision of unity rooted in shared humanity. He did not preach perfection but  perseverance in love. His language, much like Gandhi’s is not that of condemnation, but of accompaniment – walking with, not ahead of, others.

His papal visits were marked by deeply personal moments: kissing the feet of prisoners, embracing children with disabilities, comforting refugees. These acts were not ceremonial but consistent with a lifetime of service. Before he was pope, Bergoglio was known in Buenos Aires for riding the subway and visiting slums – a priest among the people. He has carried that ethos into the Vatican, reminding the world that true leadership is rooted in proximity and empathy.

Yet, Francis had his critics. Traditionalists within the Church  bristled at his reforms and perceived openness. His decision to allow local bishops greater discretion in matters like divorce and remarried Catholics receiving communion sparked theological debate. It was difficult to challenge mindsets that were centuries old. But Francis remained undeterred, choosing dialogue over decree, and compassion over rigidity.

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, centre, and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI

Beyond institutional reform, perhaps the pope’s greatest gift has been his ability to rekindle hope. Francis’s spirituality is deeply Ignatian, drawing from the Jesuit tradition of discernment and social action. It is a spirituality that embraces doubt and struggle as part of faith. This resonates deeply with a generation disenchanted with dogma but yearning for meaning. For young people, especially, Pope Francis is a rare moral figure who speaks with credibility about issues they care about – climate justice, migration, peace, and dignity.

As we look toward the future, the legacy of Pope Francis is already taking shape. He may not have rewritten doctrine, but he has reoriented the Church toward the peripheries. He has reminded a global audience that religion, at its best, is not about exclusion but embrace. In a world where the loudest voices often sow division, Pope Francis continues to whisper a different message: mercy, humility, and hope.

In the grand sweep of history, few religious figures have managed to touch as many lives across so many divides. Pope Francis is such a figure. His papacy is not merely a chapter in Church history; it is a chapter in the moral history of our age. And for that, the world – not just Catholics – owes him its deep gratitude. As cardinal electors gather to elect the new Pope, we hope and pray the new Pope keeps alive the legacy of the holy father.

It is sad that, as reported by three Archbishops in India, Francis, despite his keenness to visit India, was not allowed to do so.

Najeeb Jung is former vice-chancellor Jamia Millia Islama and former Lt. Governor Delhi. He is currently chairman of the Advance Studies Institute of Asia.

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