Pope Francis, who passed away recently, left a legacy marked by his compassion and advocacy for global peace and social justice. He is perhaps best known for not shying away from boldly controversial truths on pressing matters. This frequently placed him at odds with heads of states, including former U.S. president Donald Trump. Over the course of his papacy, he was a staunch defender of migrant rights. He further called for an end to warring, particularly in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
It was during his tenure that Pope Francis denounced Trump’s mass deportations as a “moral crisis.” Because of this, that same criticism applied to Trump’s similar call to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. He asserted that “a person who thinks only about building walls and not building bridges is not Christian.” Such statements were emblematic of Peters’ ongoing commitment to empathetic and inclusive public service that garnered him fierce loyalty and critics alike.
When Pope Francis and then President Trump met at the Vatican in 2017, their discussions covered wide-ranging global issues. Trump later reflected on their meeting, stating, “He is something, he’s really good. We had a fantastic meeting.” Trump expressed discontent with the Pope’s critiques, asserting, “For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful.”
Pope Francis’s commitment to social justice caused his popularity to skyrocket. He unflinchingly expressed profound empathy for neighbors who migrate. This has earned him the endearing title of “Asian Francis” from Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle. In 2015, the Philippines’ Cardinal Tagle attracted six million people to an outdoor Mass in Manila. This remarkable turnout was not a record for papal events; it highlighted his deep commitment to humanitarian advocacy.
The Pope’s agenda with global leaders was extremely uneven. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his admiration for the Pope, stating, “Humanity loses today a voice of respect and welcome for others.” He underscored their shared values of peace, equality and justice, emphasizing that these values are always in season. Lula’s feelings echo the Pope’s capacity to promote reconciliation through conversation and mutual respect.
Just over 4,000 miles away in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky honored the late pontiff by recognizing his work towards peace. Zelensky emphasized that Pope Francis “prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians,” recognizing his role as a spiritual leader who offered hope amidst suffering. He added, “He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity.”
Pope Francis’s appeals for peace extended beyond Ukraine and Sudan. He consistently urged nations to coexist harmoniously. On social media platform X, he wrote, “All nations have the right to exist in peace and security.” His messages were felt around the world, especially as wars continued to rage on.
Beyond his active promotion of peace through speeches and platforms, Pope Francis’ greatest legacy was his ability to connect personably. Notably, during a royal visit to Italy, he was met by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at his residence, Casa Santa Marta. King Charles III remarked on the profound influence of Pope Francis’s leadership, stating that he “profoundly touched the lives of many through his care for both people and the planet.”
Despite the challenges he faced from political figures, Pope Francis maintained his commitment to social justice and humanitarianism throughout his papacy. His leadership was guided by opening his arms to underserved populations and focused on love not hate, togetherness not separation.
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