QUESTION : How did Pope Francis redefine the Papacy in our times? What will his legacy be? – Albin Peter
ANSWER : Jacob Parappally MSFS
The election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as Pope Francis in March 2013 marked a turning point in the modern history of the Catholic Church. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas, Bergoglio brought with him not only symbolic change but also a true reimagining of what it means to be pope in the 21st century. His papacy redefined the role through spiritual leadership marked by pastoral humility, global engagement, inclusivity, a theological emphasis on mercy, and a commitment to synodality. His legacy will likely be that of a more decentralized, compassionate, and socially engaged Church. It would be difficult for any of his successors to reverse the Church’s movement into the heart of the world without adverse consequences for both the Church and the papacy.
Even critics of the Church admired Pope Francis for his humane approach, especially toward those on the margins of society. His admission of personal limitations and weaknesses stood in stark contrast to many leaders who portray themselves as infallible.
At the time of his passing, the laudatory responses of world leaders echoed the profound impact Pope Francis had on the global stage. His leadership inspired many religious and political figures because he exemplified what humanness, inclusivity, and compassion can achieve in healing a broken and inhumane world. Even critics of the Church admired him for his humane approach, especially toward those on the margins of society. His admission of personal limitations and weaknesses stood in stark contrast to many leaders who portray themselves as infallible. Pope Francis’s transparency and openness both in revealing who he was and in offering candid commentary on the problems facing the Church and society, may have raised eyebrows, but it was widely appreciated as the honest critique of a true prophet of our times.
Servant Leadership: The New Face of the Papacy
Pope Francis redefined not only the papacy but all forms of leadership in the Church. His leadership style demonstrated that authentic leadership in the Church must follow the servant-leadership of Jesus. This was not merely an ideal; he embodied it in practice, showing that it is indeed possible when one is committed to Christ and his values. In a world obsessed with power and willing to manipulate in order to secure it, Christian leadership must be understood as a ministry, a special call to be servants of God’s people. It must not reflect secular models of domination and control.
Signs of servant leadership were evident from the very beginning of Francis’s papacy. He declined to wear the traditional, richly embroidered papal vestments and chose to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace. He broke from tradition by choosing the name Francis, honoring St. Francis of Assisi, the “Little Poor Man” and patron of ecology. This signaled his desire to embody the saint’s humility, simplicity, and vision for Church reform.
Pope Francis redefined not only the papacy but all forms of leadership in the Church. His leadership style demonstrated that authentic leadership in the Church must follow the servant-leadership of Jesus.
On March 28, 2013, Pope Francis celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Casal del Marmo youth detention center in Rome, where he washed and kissed the feet of 12 young inmates—including two women and two Muslims. This was unprecedented. While some traditionalists expressed concern over this departure from liturgical norms, Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi defended it as a pastoral act of inclusion. Such gestures from Francis offered a powerful and challenging example of Christlike service, especially toward those on the peripheries.
Fully aware that he stood in the shoes of Peter, the first shepherd appointed by the risen Christ, Pope Francis recaptured the original spirit of Christian leadership. He believed that a pastor must be “a shepherd who smells of the sheep” (Evangelii Gaudium, No. 24). He transformed the papacy from a distant monarchy into a form of servant leadership grounded in the lived suffering of humanity. His surprise visits to prisons, refugee camps, and impoverished neighborhoods underscored a shift from doctrinal centrality to incarnational and relational ministry.
Pope: A Symbol of a Merciful and Inclusive Church
Pope Francis’s theological legacy is defined by his emphasis on mercy over judgment. Declaring the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015, he encouraged both clergy and laity to practice forgiveness, openness, and inclusion, especially toward those marginalized by Church teachings. He insisted that the Church must always remain open, particularly to those who feel alienated from it.
A centrifugal Church reaches out to the marginalized, the poor, and the excluded. Francis reaffirmed the Second Vatican Council’s shift from a self-enclosed, centripetal Church to one “that goes forth” (una Chiesa in uscita). This means moving toward the peripheries—geographic, social, existential, and spiritual.
In Amoris Laetitia (2016), Francis upheld Church teaching on marriage but called for pastoral discernment in caring for divorced and remarried Catholics. He insisted that mercy must guide ecclesial responses. He also adopted a conciliatory tone toward LGBTQ+ people, famously stating, “If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge?” His compassionate approach reflected the inclusive heart of the Gospel.
A Church in Need of Reform and Renewal
The Church possesses both charismatic and institutional dimensions. While the Holy Spirit sanctifies and guides the Church, its institutional aspect with hierarchical governance can sometimes lean toward legalism at the expense of Gospel values. Francis envisioned the Church of the Second Vatican Council: a Church that dialogues with the world and shares in its joys and sufferings (Gaudium et Spes, No. 1).
In Evangelii Gaudium, Francis wrote: “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” He recognized the need for reform in two critical areas: the Roman Curia and the Church’s response to clerical sexual abuse. Though reform of the Curia has proceeded in stages, Francis emphasized that true reform comes from a change of heart and a spirit of service.
He transformed the papacy from a distant monarchy into a form of servant leadership grounded in the lived suffering of humanity. His surprise visits to prisons, refugee camps, and impoverished neighborhoods underscored a shift from doctrinal centrality to incarnational and relational ministry.
His call for the Church to evangelize itself through reform and renewal remains one of his central contributions. He urged the Church to go not only to geographical margins but also to existential ones: to places marked by suffering, ignorance, indifference, and sin. He did not change essential doctrines but applied them with compassion, echoing his oft-cited phrase: “Reality is greater than ideas” (Evangelii Gaudium, No. 231). While some praised this approach for recovering the Gospel’s heart, others feared it introduced doctrinal ambiguity.
Synodality and Decentralization
One of Francis’s most enduring contributions may be his commitment to synodality, the belief that the Church must walk together, listening to all the faithful. The Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) represents a major shift in ecclesial governance. By expanding the roles of laypeople, women, and marginalized voices, Francis challenged hierarchical, top-down decision-making.
In his 2015 address marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, he said: “The path of synodality is what God expects of the Church in the third millennium.” He emphasized that synodality is not an external framework but intrinsic to the Church’s very nature. Though decisions are taken by legitimate authority, those decisions must arise from communal discernment. This participatory vision fosters dialogue, co-responsibility, and collaboration, especially among women, laity, and youth.
A Centrifugal, Outward-Looking Church
A centrifugal Church reaches out to the marginalized, the poor, and the excluded. Francis reaffirmed the Second Vatican Council’s shift from a self-enclosed, centripetal Church to one “that goes forth” (una Chiesa in uscita). This means moving toward the peripheries—geographic, social, existential, and spiritual. Francis emphasized the prophetic mission of the Church: to speak truth to power, challenge unjust structures, and embody a liberating spirituality rather than merely a doctrinal or sacramental identity. The Church must also acknowledge its sins, such as clericalism and exclusion, and journey with others as a pilgrim Church “of the poor and for the poor.”
He did not change essential doctrines but applied them with compassion, echoing his oft-cited phrase: “Reality is greater than ideas” (Evangelii Gaudium, No. 231). While some praised this approach for recovering the Gospel’s heart, others feared it introduced doctrinal ambiguity.
In his encyclicals Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020), Francis addressed global issues like climate change, economic inequality, and interreligious dialogue, positioning the papacy as a moral conscience for the world. His outreach to the Muslim world and his role in easing U.S.-Cuba relations underscored his identity as a bridge-builder and peacemaker.
Mixed Responses to Pope Francis’s Leadership
Pope Francis’s prophetic and pastoral voice earned admiration, even from critics of the Church. However, his papacy also encountered internal resistance, particularly from conservative factions. While some lauded his response to the sexual abuse crisis, others accused him of inconsistency or inaction. His emphasis on pastoral discernment unsettled those who valued doctrinal clarity. Critics warned of relativism, while supporters saw a recovery of Gospel-centered ecclesiology that prioritized love over legalism.
Pope Francis redefined the papacy not by abolishing traditions, but by reinterpreting them through the lens of pastoral and prophetic concern. His legacy will likely be twofold: a spiritual re-centering of Catholicism around the margins and a structural push toward synodality and shared leadership. Whether universally accepted or not, his papacy has undeniably reshaped the tone, priorities, and global engagement of the Church in ways that will reverberate for generations to come.
