By Eric Wolf Schoen
He came upon us in a simple way. Riding with his fellow Cardinals in a tour bus to begin his duties as Pope. He had left his bags or some items from them in the hotel the Cardinals were staying at and he wanted to retrieve them.
He didn’t need to send a motorcade or fancy car to get the item. He was a man who one thought would want to enjoy life, instead of traveling the world doing the laborious task of bringing joy Of religion to all of its people.
And he loved his people, particularly those whose lives were challenged with health issues or other problems. He would help them in any which way he could. He loved traveling, and all over the world he has made significant strides in promoting inclusivity within the Church, particularly towards the LGBTQ+ community and those from diverse backgrounds. His famous statement, “Who am I to judge?” in 2013 was hailed by many in the gay community.
Pope Francis is known for his progressive leadership and focus on social justice, environmentalism, and interfaith dialogue. He has made significant achievements in these areas, including advocating for the poor and marginalized, promoting Laudato Si’ (a papal encyclical on climate change), and fostering unity between different religious groups.
Some of his Key Accomplishments include:
Advocacy for the Poor:
Pope Francis has consistently spoken out on social issues and emphasized the church’s commitment to helping the marginalized.
Laudato Si’ (Environmentalism):
His encyclical on climate change, Laudato Si’, is a landmark document that calls for urgent action on the environmental crisis and champions environmental stewardship.
Interfaith Dialogue:
He has actively engaged in dialogue with leaders of other religions, promoting understanding and cooperation between different faiths.
Reforms within the Vatican:
He has implemented reforms within the Vatican administration, including streamlining the Curia and appointing more women to key roles.
Synod on Synodality:
He convened a synod on synodality, a process of dialogue and deliberation within the Church, which is considered one of the most important events in the Church since the Second Vatican Council.
Apologies for Abuse:
He has made historic apologies to survivors of clergy sexual abuse, including an apology for the Church’s role in the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Protection of Migrants:
He has called for the protection of migrants and criticized anti-immigration policies.
Global Abolition of the Death Penalty:
Pope Francis has advocated for the global abolition of the death penalty.
Pastoral Accompaniment of LGBT People:
He has taught that remarried Catholics can “in certain cases” receive the sacraments and has spoken out against laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.
Francis will be buried in simple wooden coffin with his name on it. We pray the good work he has done will continue with the next Pope, and that his goodness will bring the people of America together again.
Reach Eric Schoen at ewschoen@icloud.com
