From church reforms to big decisions/ What the Pope changed at the head of the Catholic Church

2025-04-21 18:57:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

From church reforms to big decisions/ What the Pope changed at the head of the

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, at the age of 88. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father's house.

There were many unusual aspects to Pope Francis' papacy. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, the first to choose the name "Francis," and the first to give a TED Talk. He was also the first pope in more than 600 years to be elected after the resignation, rather than the death, of his predecessor.

From the beginning of his papacy, Francis seemed determined to do things differently and present the papacy in a new light. Even when considering his burial, he chose the unexpected: to be laid to rest not in the Vatican, but in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the first Pope to be buried there in hundreds of years.

Walking a line between progressive and conservative, Francis has experienced tension with both sides. In doing so, his papacy has shone a spotlight on what it means to be Catholic today.

Influence on the Catholic Church

In many ways, the most striking thing about Francis was not his words or his theology, but his style. He was a modest man, even leaving behind the grand papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace to live in the Vatican's most humble lodgings.

From church reforms to big decisions/ What the Pope changed at the head of the

He may be remembered most for his simplicity of dress and habits, his hospitable and pastoral style, and his wise spirit of discernment.

The Pope is known as a clear witness to the life, love, and joy of Jesus in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, a major point of reform in the modern history of the Church. This witness has translated into two major developments in the teachings and life of the Church.

Francis acknowledged climate change and its devastating impacts and causes. He summarized the main scientific research to argue forcefully for an evidence-based approach to addressing human impact on the environment.

From church reforms to big decisions/ What the Pope changed at the head of the

Francis argued that a new spiritual ethic was needed. In particular, he said that Jesus' way of loving others and all of creation is the transformative force that can bring about lasting change for the environment and cultivate fraternity among people, especially with the poor./CNA