Pope Francis’ Legacy

As Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 from a stroke last Monday. His death and legacy had a profound impact on many. He was the first pope from Latin America, specifically the country of Argentina,  and this fact endowed a sense of visibility and global representation in many Latin Americans and a national affection from Argentinians with seeing themselves on a worldwide stage in such a powerful position. These feelings also include  LHS students, who have felt sadness at the pops passing, as he served a point in breaking the glass ceiling. The Pope also paid many visits to Latin American countries, from Brazil to Colombia to his own country. The Pope was also notable for his progressivism. He allowed blessings to homosexuals, and even said “being homosexual was not a crime.” He washed the feet of immigrants,  he cared and focused on the poor, and he appointed a diverse number of cardinals from all around the world, from Africa to Asia. The Pope is also notable for his compassion and connection to all, he encouraged the church to listen more to regular church goers, he allowed others to disagree with him, and he admitted his own mistakes. He made the catholic church a place for all to gather, immigrants, poor people, refugees, the disorientated, all were welcome to him. He criticized those who were hurting nature, he criticized leaders and politicians who wouldn’t welcome immigrants and politics against the poor. During his papacy he furthered the church to be a hub of empathy and mercy touched with his own personal humility and a worldview of everyone being in the same boat. For instance, he’d call the priest of the only church in Palestine every night and on his last day on Earth,  he chastised JD Vance for his stance on immigration. The Pope led a papacy of unconditional love for all and he groomed a church that was meant for everybody, where everybody, regardless of who they were, were worthy of help and mercy.