Regarded by many as one of the most progressive popes of recent times, Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for over a decade, has passed away at 88. The pontiff drew his last breath early Monday morning. His papacy, which began on March 13, 2013, lasted for twelve memorable years, filled with policies that have stirred up both applause and controversy in equal measure.
Raised as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis’ ascension to the head of the papacy marked an iconic deviation from tradition as the first pope to hail from outside Europe in more than a millennium. His origins trace back to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his life seemed destined for the ordinary, working as a bouncer and janitor and learning chemistry.
In 1958, a significant turn occurred in Bergoglio’s life when he joined the Jesuits. His religious journey saw him climb the spiritual ranks, culminating in his becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires by 1998. A mere three years later, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal status, further promulgating his remarkable story.
When Pope Benedict XVI withdrew from his papal duties in 2013, it was the first such resignation since 1415, causing a ripple in the Catholic world. Following this historic event, the path cleared for Bergoglio’s rise to the Vatican was hardly common. Pope Emeritus Benedict lived out his days until his passing in 2022.
Francis proceeded to adopt progressive measures that periodically provoked controversy. Notably, he set unprecedented standards by allowing priests to bless same-sex couples while falling short of approving the relationships themselves. This action hinted at his nuanced approach to contentious issues within the Church.
In a significant move towards equality, Francis also became the first pope to appoint a woman at the helm of a major Vatican office. This substantial shift aimed to provide greater leadership responsibilities for women within the governance of the Church, yet another example of his departure from the orthodox lineage of the papacy.
Pope Francis was unyielding in his stance on issues such as immigration, often at odds with conservative minds in the West. He voiced his objections to negative sentiments towards migrants seeking refuge in regions like Europe and the U.S., including a resounding critique of Trump’s immigration policy in February 2025.
However, parts of his doctrine remained fundamentally aligned with traditional Catholic teachings. For instance, unresolved issues such as the Church’s staunch opposition to abortion, labeled an ‘absolute evil’ by Pope Francis, remain representative of the Church’s conservative ethos.
Controversies surrounding the Vatican’s ineffective management of the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandals also painted Pope Francis’s tenure. Recognizing the need for reform, Francis initiated a papal committee to oversee the sexual abuse issue and rendered it obligatory for dioceses to report instances of abuse.
Alongside dealing with matters of faith, Pope Francis also grappled with personal health challenges. The pope had a history of hospitalizations, only intensified in his later years, including treatments for pneumonia and various other infections. Notably, he had a section of lung removed in his younger years.
Medical procedures followed Pope Francis well into his aging years. In 2021, surgeons removed a 13-inch portion of his large intestine, and took on the daunting task of mending a hernia in his abdominal wall and excising intestinal scar tissue in 2023.
With Pope Francis’s passing, eyes now turn toward the College of Cardinals, entrusted with the sacred duty of electing the next pontiff. This mysterious process, known as the conclave, will commence between 15 and 20 days following the Pope’s demise.
Guidelines dictate that only cardinals beneath the age of 80 may partake in the vote. While the Catholic Church permits any baptized male to be elevated to the papacy, it’s conventional for the college of cardinals to elect a member from within their ranks. This pattern last deviated in 1378.
This anticipated process heralds the dawn of a new era within the Catholic Church as it mourns the loss of its dynamic leader, Pope Francis. As the world watches, speculation swirls around possible candidates within the college of cardinals who might inherit the mantle.
The legacy of Pope Francis, one of contrast and diverging viewpoints, leaves a vacuum explored in the coming days. Who will succeed him, and the direction the Church will take under new leadership, are questions left to unfold within the sacred confines of the Catholic Church.
The post Pope Francis, Beacon of Controversy, Passes Away at 88 appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
