Pope Francis has died at 88 after 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church. He was known for breaking barriers and shifting the Church’s tone toward openness, empathy, and global issues. The first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name Francis, he came into the role in 2013 after Pope Benedict’s surprise resignation.

Francis really stood out for his efforts to make the Church more inclusive—he prioritized helping the poor, welcomed LGBTQ+ people, apologized for the Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system, and even washed the feet of prisoners (including women and non-Christians) during Holy Week ceremonies. His famous quote, “Who am I to judge?” about gay people seeking God, really summed up his vibe.

He pushed for climate action, releasing a landmark document calling for urgent environmental reform, and made moves to include more women in Church leadership. He didn’t change doctrine, but he loosened strict rules and allowed more local decision-making, which annoyed some conservative Church leaders.

Still, not everything was smooth. His handling of the Church’s sexual abuse crisis got heavy criticism. While he set up commissions and changed some policies, many victims felt the Church still wasn’t doing enough. He also made a rare misstep defending a Chilean bishop accused of covering up abuse, though he later apologized.

He kept a firm stance on abortion and didn’t support female priests, but he did open the door to more meaningful roles for women in the Church. He was sometimes controversial—like when he suggested Ukraine should consider negotiating with Russia, sparking backlash—but overall, his papacy marked a clear departure from the more rigid style of his predecessors.

Even though his health was shaky in recent years, he remained active until he passed away from pneumonia. Now, the Church enters a new chapter as cardinals—most of whom were appointed by Francis—head to Rome to pick his successor. But that doesn’t guarantee they’ll choose someone who’ll follow in his footsteps. His legacy? A more global, compassionate, and reform-minded Church—though not without its flaws.

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