Pope Francis’ death at the age of 88 has brought an end to an extraordinary pontificate born out of the uniquely ordinary.
As the world steps back, tributes roll in, anticipation of the coming conclave arises, and the Catholic Church begins a transition to a new era — this is the legacy of Pope Francis.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, the son of Italian immigrants was led to faith after a battle with pneumonia.
The same disease that would cripple the last few months of his life, nearly ended his journey before it had even begun.
A resume including stints as a nightclub bouncer and janitor, and a diploma in chemistry marks a singular path to the papacy.
Francis’ life and papacy embodied humility, mercy, and parity. He was ordained a priest in 1969, named Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, created a cardinal in 2001, and elected pope following the resignation of Benedict XVI in 2013.
Chosen from the end of the earth
“You know that it was the duty of the conclave to give Rome a bishop. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone to the end of the earth to get one, but here we are.”
Pope Francis in his first address, March 2013
From the outset of his reign, Francis was a history-making pontiff.
He was the first Latin American pope, in what Trevor Cullen, former Catholic minister and honorary professor at Edith Cowan University, believes confirmed a change in the makeup of the Church.
“You’ll notice that there’s not so many [European] cardinals. There’s more cardinals that are coming from Africa, and also from South America,” he said.
Over Francis’ pontificate, Asia and Africa have become sites of rapid growth of the Catholic Church, alongside dwindling numbers in Europe, North America, and Latin America.
Francis was the first pope from the Jesuit Order, known for its intellectual rigor, missionary work, and educational institutions.
He was also the first pope since Lando in 913 to take a unique name.
‘Francis’ was drawn from Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans, whose members take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience — emphasising simplicity, and care for the poor and marginalised.
In many ways, the new pontiff’s name signalled his priorities.
The pope of the peripheries
In a post on Twitter (also known as X), UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer described Pope Francis as “a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten”.
“He was close to the realities of human fragility, meeting Christians around the world facing war, famine, persecution and poverty. Yet he never lost the faith-fuelled hope of a better world,” Sir Starmer’s post continued.
In the spirit of Jesuit and Franciscan beliefs, Francis preached foremost in favour of a Church “which is poor and for the poor.”
“You who live by always giving, and think that you need nothing, do you realize that you are poor yourself? Do you realise that you are very poor and that you need what they can give you? Do you let yourself be evangelised by the poor, by the sick, by those you assist?“
Pope Francis, January 2015
He preached in support of migrants, displaced people, and refugees, and through October 2020’s Fratelli Tutti, called on Catholics to support those impacted by war, persecution, poverty, and natural disasters.
He emphasised the importance of the youth and the elderly, and alongside the long-instituted World Youth Day, established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021.
Francis made his values tangible in the way he lived, including declining to reside in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace, instead living in a simple suite in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
His work with lay people, those not ordained into the clergy, was also trailblazing.
“The lay faithful are not ‘guests’ in the Church, they are at home, so they are called to take care of their own home…The laity, and especially women, need to be more valued in their human and spiritual skills and gifts for the life of parishes and dioceses.”
Pope Francis, February 2023
For Father John Jegerow, parish priest of Saint Mary Mackillop Church in Ballajura, Francis’ work with lay people was key to his papacy.
To me, that’s what Francis’ legacy is going to be. He empowered God’s frozen people into action,” Father Jegerow said.
A progressive pontificate
Francis emerged as one of the most progressive popes in modern history.
Francis struck a more welcoming tone on LGBTQ issues, denounced laws criminalising homosexuality, supported same-sex civil unions, affirmed that transgender people are eligible for baptism, and allowed the blessing of same-sex couples.
“If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?”
Pope Francis, July 2013
He was a champion of environmental issues, at one point encouraging world leaders to “let us emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new and radiant day.”
Professor Cullen says Francis brought a more pastoral outlook to the papacy, but questioned whether he instigated much change.
“I don’t think he’s changed a great deal — I mean, what he has changed, probably, is the tone rather than the substance,” said Professor Cullen.
Nonetheless, Francis is being remembered for embodying a Church more attuned to peace, dignity, and inclusion — even as its teachings held firm.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that Pope Francis “lived out his faith and vocation in word and deed”.
“In his modest way of life, and at his weekly audiences, he demonstrated his commitment to peace, equality, and inclusion.”
The wake left by a unique papacy
The conclave to elect Francis’ successor will commence between May 6 and May 12.
The winner of that vote will have to follow in the footsteps of a leader who, in a culture where the pope is regarded as infallible, admitted his own inferiority.
From the end of the earth, Pope Francis transformed an ordinary life into an extraordinary papacy — one that brought the Church closer to its people, and its heart closer to the margins.
“I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.”
Pope Francis, September 2013
They’ll also have to follow in the footsteps of a pope who continually prioritised others over himself, and brought the Church’s most distant peripheries to its heart.
“May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
Pope Francis’ spiritual testament, written June 2022, released April 2025
Mitchell Corps
Third-year Broadcasting and Digital Journalism student at Edith Cowan University. Additional studies in politics and screen production. Cinephile, techie, sports junkie, politics nerd.
