ON THE 13th March 2013, when the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel was seen, the faithful gathered in the Vatican square exclaimed in joy shouting, “Habemus Papam” meaning “We have a Pope“. And the man was none other than Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later took the name Pope Francis. No one would have ever imagined that this man would go on to change the face of the Catholic Church and would shake the world drastically with his simple and humble personality.
During the 12 years of his papacy, Pope Francis has become the darling to the world. Time Magazine has rated him as “2013 Person of the Year”. He has also been named ‘Man of the Year’ by Vanity Fair Italian edition in recognition of his words and deeds during his first one hundred days as pontiff. His name featured twice in 2014 and 2015 for the Nobel Peace Prize. Forbes 2016 has ranked him the 4th most powerful person in the world. International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen (Germany, 2016) was bestowed to Pope Francis for his contribution to European unity and his message of hope. In January 2025, President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the highest civilian honor in the United States, recognizing his dedication to peace, human rights, care for the poor and environmental protection. This added level of distinction highlights the Pope’s exceptional achievements and influence. Global Impact Award recognized his contribution to peace efforts, advocating for human rights, and caring for the marginalized. His dedication to environmental protection as evidenced by his encyclical Laudato Si’, also played a role. “Cinema for Peace” Award was presented in recognition of his efforts to support Ukraine, further solidified his reputation as a leader on the global stage. His global influence and moral standing have led to widespread recognition and admiration. He has been considered a “People’s Pope” and a “guiding voice for a better world”. He is seen as a man who reads the sign of the time. In his outlook he is liberal and open towards certain policies of the modern world yet he does not compromise with certain ethical and moral issues. Studies revealed that he is the most influential leader on X (twitter) and second most-followed world leader on X (Twitter).
Also read | Last Will and Testament of Pope Francis
Pope Francis has been the center of attraction for the youth. His message to the youth on the World Youth Day in 2013 in Rio De Janerio was inspiring and motivating. He spoke of the “Unusual” Saints of the 21st century: “We need saints without cassocks, without veils. We need saints with jeans and tennis shoes. We need saints that go to the movies, who listen to music, who hang out with friends. We need saints who put God in first place, ahead of succeeding in any career. We need saints who look for time to pray every day and who know how to love with purity, chastity and all good things. We need saints with spirituality appropriate to our new time. We need saints that have a commitment to helping the poor and to making the needed social change. We need saints that drink Coca-Cola, that eat hot dogs, that serve the internet and that listen to their iPods. We need saints that love the Eucharist, that are not afraid or embarrassed to eat a pizza or drink a beer with their friends. We need saints who love the movies, dance, sports, and theatre. We need saints that are open, sociable, normal, happy companions. We need saints.” In August 2015, in a letter to young people participating at the 2015 European Meeting of Youth, the Holy Father encouraged all not to conform themselves to a mediocre life without aspirations, and to face themselves instead to grow in a profound life of friendship with Christ, to become everyday more aware of the immense gift received in Baptism and in confirmation, which spurs us to love Christ in our brothers. He was a constant supporter of the Olympic movement and was awarded the Olympic Order in Gold in 2013 for his understanding of the good that sports can do for young people and the desire to build peace.
He is also considered as quite progressive even in the field of Science. The Big Bang, which he holds to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but rather requires it. He continues to say that scientific theories are compatible with existence of creator and that the theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real and God is not ‘a magician with a magic wand’. This is a great opening of the Church to the scientific world.
The Pontiff has been spreading the fragrance of Peace in the era when our world has become a conflict zone and a battle field of war. He says all the wars, all the strife, all the unsolved problems over which we clash are due to the lack of dialogue. Thus when there is a problem it is right to have recourse to dialogue. This he says would create peace. In Evangelli Gaudium 218 he says “the dignity of human person and the common good rank higher than the comfort of those who refuse to renounce their privileges”.
Pope Francis no doubt, has inspired the world and in his death, his legacy will continue to inspire the generations to come. In his death, the world lost one of its finest human beings but we believe that it’s heaven’s gain. It is apt to say he is a prophet sent by God for this particular era of human history. He is a man who is set to change the world and set an example with his own life. As G.K. Chesterton says: “We do not want a Church that moves with the world, but we want a Church that moves the world”. And here is truly the man who has moved the world. Indeed Pope Francis is a “Man of our Time and a man for Others”.
Joseph M Thohrii, is a catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur. You can reach him at mtjo89@gmail.com. Views are personal.
