Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy brings to mind the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, who described Providence as “prudentia Dei”—the prudence of God. This sentiment echoes with Pope Francis’ own words in one of his catechesis : “Our God is a God of surprises.”
Looking back at the Pontificate of Pope Francis, it is evident that he has been an undeniably “providential” Successor of Peter, reflecting the divine prudence of God, which is filled with unexpected surprises.
When Pope Francis stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time, the world was caught off guard. Many had expected a different outcome, as he was not a frontrunner. Yet, his election marked a series of historic firsts: the first pope from the Western Hemisphere, the first from South America, and the first Jesuit to lead the Church. This unanticipated moment foreshadowed a papacy that would continually surprise and challenge expectations.
His leadership was marked by grace, often misunderstood, but always rooted in a deep commitment to living the Gospel. He became, to many, a Pope of surprises, unwavering in his trust in the God of surprises.
A Pope of Gestures and Pastoral Vision
Reflecting on the papacy, it is clear that Pope Francis was not just a leader of words, but of gestures—actions that spoke of his deeply pastoral vision.
More significantly, for the Universal Catholic Church, he was a revelation—prompting the Church to move beyond tradition while remaining firmly rooted in the deposit of faith, always led by the Holy Spirit, and thus inviting the Church into a true encounter with Christ.
Discernment, encounter, and accompaniment were key themes of his pontificate whilst highlighting the mercy and tenderness of God. He revived pastoral theology, emphasized the importance of caring for creation, championed synodality —thus making synodality the heart of his approach to Church governance and dialogue.
So to his teachings and writings were not new in Catholic moral doctrine, they were just presented in a different style compared to his predecessors whilst having this exceptional ability to communicate in a simple language, engaging with pastoral challenges head-on, both in his writings and off-the-cuff comments, and as the late Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster and a close confidant of Pope Francis, once shared with me in a radio interview:
“Everybody relates to Pope Francis because he always meets people where they are. We all have ambitions; we all strive for holiness. But Pope Francis says, ‘This is who you are, this is where you are—now let’s take a step forward towards what is good.’ And people connect with that. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Catholic, Christian, from another faith, or have no faith at all—Pope Francis will still speak to you, he will be warm towards you, and he will engage with you.”
Embraced the Franciscan Attitude
Drawing inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi and his commitment to simplicity and humility, Pope Francis embraced these cardinal virtues of the Christian life, advocating a “poor church for the poor.”
From the outset, Pope Francis broke with papal tradition in both word and action. On his first Maundy Thursday, he washed the feet of women inmates, sending a powerful message of inclusion and equality. He chose to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta, for the luxurious papal apartments, and wore a simple pectoral cross—the same one he had as a bishop. Refusing the red papal shoes, the ornate mozetta (cape), and the white rochet (lace surplice), Pope Francis represented the spirit of servant leadership.
In keeping with his simplicity, Pope Francis also travelled in small, affordable cars like the Ford Focus and Fiat, rejecting the use of luxury vehicles. He preferred to refer to himself as the “Bishop of Rome” instead of the more formal titles of “Pope” or “Supreme Pontiff,” reinforcing his desire to remain close to the people he served. He also chose not to stay at the luxurious papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, enduring the summer heat in Rome to remain accessible to the faithful.
Reforming the Vatican Curia Unlike Any Since Vatican II
Pope Francis approached the long-standing issue of Vatican Curia reform with fresh eyes, seeking to restructure Church governance for greater efficiency and transparency. His apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium (“Preach the Gospel”) introduced significant changes that had been in discussion since Vatican II, marking the most significant reform to the Curia in decades and emphasized that :
“The Roman Curia is not set between the Pope and the Bishops, but is at the service of both, according to the modalities proper to the nature of each.”
A significant aspect of the reform was the inclusion of lay people in important leadership positions within Vatican offices. For example, the reform now allows for a nun to be appointed as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, and a female theologian to lead the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a role that has traditionally been held by Cardinals. Additionally, the reform also paves the way for a layperson to potentially serve as Secretary of State, a position that has historically been reserved for clergy.
A pastoral reform was the update of matrimonial nullity trials, introduced in Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus and Mitis et misericors Iesus (2015). These reforms streamlined the process with a single judge system, focused on Pastoral accompaniment, and transferred the responsibility for implementation to local dioceses. By maintaining the Church’s commitment to the indissolubility of marriage while emphasizing pastoral accompaniment, these changes sought to make the Church more compassionate and responsive to individuals facing difficult marital situations.
Similarly, his commitment to transparency in addressing the clergy abuse crisis went further by enforcing zero-tolerance policies, mandatory reporting, background checks for seminarians, and safeguarding reforms. He also removed the former pontifical secrecy that had hindered investigations into abuse cases. This move played a key role in restoring trust in the Church, both within and with the wider public.
Championing Human Dignity and Social Justice
In the aftermath of scandals and crises that had significantly damaged the Church’s credibility in the new millennium, coupled with declining Church attendance, Pope Francis sought to restore the Church’s moral standing in public opinion. His papacy emphasized mercy, humility, and outreach to marginalized communities. Rather than confronting secularization head-on, Pope Francis engaged with it, reclaiming Christian values that had often been poached by secular society and presenting them as core principles—values with deep roots in Church tradition, not modern-day inventions. Pope Francis also challenged conservative factions within the Church, much like Jesus challenged the Pharisees. He pushed for liturgical changes and confronted clericalism while staying deeply grounded in the deposit of faith and Church doctrine.
His advocacy for social justice—addressing issues like poverty, climate change, and the refugee crisis—redefined the Church as a champion of human dignity. His focus on issues such as divorce, same-sex relationships, and the struggles of those living in sin reinforced the Church’s commitment to compassion and mercy. Along with these initiatives, Pope Francis also highlighted the significance of interfaith dialogue and global peacebuilding, aiming to promote understanding and collaboration among different religious groups.
“Remember to Pray for Me”
Pope Francis began his papacy with a simple but profound request: “Remember to pray for me.” This call for prayer became a constant theme throughout his interactions with people, from world leaders to everyday faithful. During a 2013 flight from Rio de Janeiro to Rome, he shared that asking for prayers was a lifelong practice, especially after becoming a bishop. “I feel I have many weaknesses and problems; I am a sinner too,” he confessed, offering a deeply personal insight into his request.
As a man of prayer who sought to live the Gospel, Pope Francis challenged us Catholics to love, engage in genuine prayer, and to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
His spiritual discipline was well-known—he went to confession every two weeks and kept an early morning routine, rising at 4 a.m. to spend the first two hours in prayer, scripture study, and preparing for the day’s homily.
