Pope Francis brought much-needed change to Roman Catholicism, despite not having overhauled the church's doctrine

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Pope Francis will be remembered for a pastoral papacy, from his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica,in a simple white cassock, to funeral instructions that his coffin not be elevated. He was the first pope from the global south, the first Jesuit to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, and the first to pick the name Francis.

He also named 108 of the 135 cardinals who will pick his successor.

“What a breath of fresh air he was to our Church, coming at a moment when we needed him so badly,” Father Michael G. Ryan, pastor of St. James Cathedral, wrote in a letter to parishoners. He and Francis embraced at the Vatican in 2016, and both embraced the concept of an inclusive, tolerant church.

Roman Catholicism has reached a fork in the road in its 2,000 year history.

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/04/pope-francis-brought-much-needed-change-to-roman-catholicism-despite-not-having-overhauled-the-churchs-doctrine.html

[wcmagumba]

1. I'm not a Catholic or even religious but I always liked Pope Francis...seemed to be a good man...

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Pope Francis made The Church more accessible to all Catholics.

It was welcoming to young families, lapsed Catholics, youth and elderly, etc.

To me, that seems to be the primary goal, not the doctrines per se.

[Dulcinea]

3. Pope Francis was a champion for the poor, marginalized, & refugees.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

He actually did what his faith dictated. May he rest in peace.

[Skittles]

4. actually, it's what plain human decency dictates

religion is not required

[Aristus]

5. It was good to see him inspire the Catholic Church's rediscovery

of social justice.

It’s too little yet to make up for The Crusades, the Inquisition, and The Holocaust. But it’s a start.