What will be Pope Francis’ legacy?

Although Pope Francis was certainly not without a lot of controversy and criticism during his papacy, he will leave a legacy that will resinate and be remembered by many inside and outside the Church. Pope Francis was a strong advocate for environmentalism, strived to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, and apologized for the clerical abuse that has plagued the Church and its clergy. 

True to his Argentina roots as a socialist, he criticized the capitalism of the Western Cultures (specifically the United States) in his efforts to advocate for more environmentalism and programs to protect the environment. His statements, homilies, and actions made a push to move the Catholic Church more to the left and away from traditionalism and conservatism. 

In his Encyclical “Laudato Si”, he takes on the issue of environmentalism and blames capitalism. “Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” He continues by saying that humans have significantly caused harm to the environment and to the earth through selfish ambitions and desires. “This sister (earth) now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will….we have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth; our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.” He saw capitalism as a form of greed and rejection of God’s gift and trust in the Lord for provision. 

When it came to the issue of those in the LGBTQ community, many criticized his stance on acceptance and even shying away from calling it sin. He was an advocate for LGTBQ inclusion in the Church and was criticized for making moves such as commending Father James Martin’s work with the community.

In 2020, Pope Francis said “homosexuals have a right to be part of the family. They’re children of God…..Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable because of it.” Despite his hesitancy, and many times plain refusal, to call it sin, the pope never condoned it and said it was acceptable to live an active homosexual life with regard to sexual activities with a partner. In fact, just the opposite. He called the criticism of homosexuality a sin and an injustice in 2023. What is missed during this statement by those that do not support him is the fact that he was making a distinction between homosexuality being a sin and it being a crime. He criticized laws that made homosexuality a crime and distinguished between acknowledging it was, in deed, a sin but it should not be a crime and punishable as a crime. There are many countries in the world that do, in fact, criminalize homosexuality and will murder homosexuals if they are discovered. It is these actions and believes that Pope Francis was referring to when he said criticism of homosexuality is a sin. 

Perhaps, specifically for non-Catholics, the pope will be most remembered for publicly apologizing for the priest sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Church and diminished its reputation and credibility. He called the abuses “evil”, asked for forgiveness on behalf of the Church, and said the Church must vow and make an intent to never allow those kind of actions and that large of a scandal to happen again.

Although the apology, perhaps, did not make a dent in restoring the Church’s credibility and reputation with the victims or the public, it was a step in attempting to address and overcome the scandal that has plagued the Church for years. 

The pope will likely be remembered, on the other hand, by his critics for the changes to the liturgy and actions that have been viewed as anti-Traditional. He cut the Traditional Latin Mass so deeply that it is rarely found where one can attend a TLM on a regular basis. He restricted the use of various chapels within the Vatican by others for private Masses, and he shut down Mass and all Church activities during the COVID pandemic.

It does not matter if you liked Pope Francis or if you did not agree with him or like him. It matters that we, as Christians, view an individual (even a pope) through the eyes of Christ. We must acknowledge the good things he brought to the Church and attempted to restore and, for those critics that were adamantly opposed to some of his decisions, can also acknowledge the things that perhaps hurt the Church and Catholics in this country and around the world. It’s also important to remember that we are not judge of a person’s soul. We are not the x-ray vision to see a person’s intent with their thoughts or actions. We must remember that God chose him as pope. God allowed him to sit on the seat of Peter and regardless if God views Him as a good or a bad pope (for which the Church has experienced both), it is God’s decision to make and his determination alone. 

For us, we should pray for the repose of his soul. As Christians, that is our responsibility and the expectation the Lord has for us.