The End of an Era: Pope Francis’s Legacy and the Papal Conclave
The world watches as the Catholic Church enters a period of transition. With the passing of Pope Francis on Monday morning in Vatican City, the papal enclave convenes on May 7th, marking the beginning of the process to elect his successor. Cardinals from around the globe will gather, deliberating and voting to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church, a monumental decision that will shape the direction of one of the world’s oldest and most influential institutions.
Describing Pope Francis’s 12-year tenure can be encapsulated in his own words: "todos, todos, todos" – "everyone, everyone, everyone." This mantra underscores his overarching vision of inclusivity and compassion, a guiding principle that defined his papacy and resonated with many, both within and outside the Church.
Francis was a complex figure, a blend of reformer and traditionalist. He did not alter core doctrines, teachings, or the bedrock of Catholic belief. The Church continues to uphold the belief in the Holy Trinity, the resurrection of Jesus, and the concept of sin. The priesthood remains exclusively male, life is considered to begin at conception, and faith is expressed through prayer and good works.
Yet, Pope Francis undeniably transformed the Church. He injected vitality into the 2,000-year-old institution by engaging with contemporary issues, modernizing some bureaucratic processes to better address earthly concerns, and recentering the Church’s focus on openness and care for the marginalized. He brought the Church into the modern era, making it a relevant voice in global conversations.
As the Church moves forward, the question arises: How should we understand Francis’s legacy? Was he the radical progressive revolutionary portrayed by some on the American political right? Will his successor continue his path?
Attempting to pigeonhole Francis within the US political spectrum is a futile exercise. His actions and beliefs often defied easy categorization. The labels of "liberal" and "conservative" are inadequate to capture the nuances of his papacy. These terms hold different meanings within the Church compared to their secular usage.
Instead, it’s crucial to recognize how profoundly Francis shifted the Church’s tone and emphasized openness and care for the less fortunate. He laid the groundwork for the Church to continue in this direction. He acted as a bridge to the future, making the Church more relevant without compromising its fundamental teachings.
This understanding is essential for interpreting the upcoming weeks of papal news and speculation. The internet is likely to be flooded with misleading charts and infographics, lacking context and aiming to simplify the complex process.
Francis’s papacy highlights the futility of applying a right-left political spectrum to popes and the Church. When he was elected in 2013, Francis was an enigma. Progressives tempered their expectations, while conservatives worried about potential changes to the Church’s public image and social teachings.
Before his election, Francis was seen as relatively traditional, unlike some of his Latin American counterparts who embraced liberation theology and intervened in Argentine politics. He was orthodox on issues like euthanasia, the death penalty, abortion, and the role of women in the Church. He advocated for clergy austerity and humility. However, he also adopted unconventional approaches, championing the poor and oppressed and demonstrating openness to other religions in Argentina. This blend of views characterized his papacy.
Over the next decade, the Church experienced minimal changes in theological or doctrinal teachings, yet it felt like a dramatic break from the past. This duality stemmed from Francis being both conservative and liberal, according to American standards, as Catholic writer James T. Keane argued in 2021.
Francis opposed abortion, criticized gender theory, opposed ordaining women, and opposed same-sex marriage. Simultaneously, he welcomed the LGBTQ community, fiercely criticized capitalism, defended immigrants, opposed the death penalty, and advocated for environmentalism. This multifaceted approach allowed him to bridge traditionalism and modernity.
His critics were numerous, viewing him as either too liberal or not progressive enough. He utilized the Church’s unchanging principles to address 21st-century crises, advocating a "both-and" approach to social issues. He upheld traditional teachings while emphasizing social justice, issues not traditionally associated with the Church.
His critiques of consumerism, capitalism, and "throwaway culture" exemplified this approach. He employed the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life to address abortion rights, promote environmentalism, and criticize neo-liberal economics.
These issues did not require alterations to religious or theological teachings. Instead, they expanded the Church’s focus beyond traditional debates like abortion, contraception, and marriage, encompassing moral dilemmas like economics, immigration, war, and climate change. He spoke candidly, as when he responded, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about LGBTQ Catholics, or when he expressed his hope that hell is "empty."
He solidified this gentler, more inquisitive tone through restructuring and reforms within the Church bureaucracy, preparing it for continued progress. Nearly 80 percent of the cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave were appointed by Francis – 108 of 135, according to the Vatican.
These cardinals hold diverse beliefs regarding the Church’s role, internal operations, and social stances. It’s risky to interpret projections about ideological "wings" or "factions" as if they were a parliament or Congress.
Speculation will inevitably arise about a non-European and less traditional successor, given Francis’s appointments. However, the Church benefits from time and a long-term perspective on social issues, as demonstrated by Francis. He reminded Catholics that concern for the poor and oppressed is as central to the Church’s mission as any long-standing culture war issue. Trying to apply American political labels to popes and the Church is ultimately futile. The Church exists on a different plane, guided by faith and a commitment to its enduring principles, even as it navigates the complexities of the modern world.
