Sadly, on my birthday, sad news is what moves me the most. On April 21, the world said goodbye to Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, a leader who profoundly marked the history of the Catholic Church and contemporary society. The first Jesuit pope and the first Latin American to hold the position, Francis was a pontiff of transformation, dialogue, and closeness to the most vulnerable. A special leader in such uncertain times who will be missed.

Since his election in 2013, after the resignation of Benedict XVI, Francis has broken protocols, rejected luxuries, and brought the papacy closer to the people. His commitment to simplicity was evident from the very first moment, when he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica without the traditional papal stole and asked the faithful to pray for him before giving his blessing. It was the harbinger of a pontificate marked by humility and a keen eye on the world’s suffering.

A Reforming Pope

For more than a decade at the head of the Church, Francis has become a reformer, challenging internal structures and promoting significant changes. From the financial reform of the Vatican to the modernization of the Roman Curia, he has sought to make the Church more transparent and less bureaucratic. He has also paved the way for greater female participation in leadership positions, a step that, although timid for some, was seen as historic within the institution.

Francis has also confronted the scandals of sexual abuse in the clergy head-on, adopting stricter measures against those found guilty and seeking greater support for victims. His request for public forgiveness and his willingness to listen to accounts of pain marked an unprecedented effort to hold the Church accountable.

Defender of the Excluded and of the Common Home

No other pope has spoken as much about social justice and the environment as Francis. His encyclical Laudato Si’, published in 2015, was a landmark in bringing the ecological issue to the center of Catholic doctrine, denouncing the unbridled exploitation of natural resources and the impact of the climate crisis on the poorest.

The Pope also made the defense of migrants one of his main causes, criticizing walls, closed borders, and exclusionary policies. He visited refugee camps, washed the feet of Muslim prisoners, and never hesitated to condemn hate speech and xenophobia. For Francis, the Church should be a “field hospital”, welcoming everyone without distinction.

The Pope of Dialogue and Mercy

Francis will be remembered as the Pope who opened doors. He dialogued with other religions, reached out to Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and defended the need for bridges, not barriers. At home, he sought to welcome divorcees, homosexuals, and those historically marginalized within the Church. His words – “Who am I to judge?” – about LGBTQ+ believers marked a new era in the Church’s stance, generating both enthusiasm and criticism within the Vatican itself.

His pontificate was not without challenges and resistance. He was challenged by ultraconservative sectors, who saw his reforms as excessively progressive. However, even in the face of opposition, he remained firm in his mission to make the Church more inclusive and compassionate.

The Legacy of Francis

With the departure of Francis, a unique chapter in the history of the Catholic Church comes to an end. His legacy goes beyond the walls of the Vatican and extends to all those who found in him a humane leader, close to them and willing to question the status quo.

His gestures, his words and his reforms will continue to resonate, challenging the Church to follow the path of renewal without losing its essence. As he himself once said: “I prefer a Church that is injured by taking to the streets than a Church that is sick by remaining closed in on itself.”

The world bids farewell to Francis, but his message remains.