The legacy of Pope Francis: A decade of
transformation and mission

Service d'Animation Missionnaire

At a time when speculation about the health of the Pope "from the end of the world" abounds, it is important to remember his election as Bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church, which took place in a particularly challenging moment. Scandals involving various forms of abuse, corruption in certain sectors of the Church, and a deviation from the primary mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel, among other factors, led to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis has not had an easy path, facing numerous challenges both within the Church and in the world. His legacy of over a decade is still difficult to quantify, but today we wish to recall some significant moments of his service as Pastor of the universal Church.

Election as Pope (March 13, 2013)

Francis became the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America (Argentina). His election was historic, breaking with the tradition of European popes and symbolizing an opening to the world's peripheries. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentine of Italian immigrant parents, addressed the crowd with his first words:
"Good evening. You know that the duty of the conclave was to elect a bishop for Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to find one, but here we are."
The Pope "from the last corner of the world" chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, setting a tone of poverty, ecological awareness, service, and reform that has driven profound changes in the Church. Since that Wednesday, March 13, he has concluded each public address with: "Do not forget to pray for me."



The Pope Who Advocates for the Right to Migrate

Just a few months after his election as Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis made his first apostolic journey to the island of Lampedusa, at the gateway to Europe. In his homily during Mass, celebrated on an altar set up on a small boat, the Pope remembered the many who have died in shipwrecks at sea. This was his reason for visiting Lampedusa:
"To pray, to make a gesture of closeness, but also to awaken consciences" about the dangerous journeys of migrants, whom he compared to “a thorn in the heart that brings suffering.”
The Pope highlighted that our migrant brothers and sisters who perished in the Mediterranean were seeking “to escape difficult situations in search of a little serenity and peace; they were looking for a better place for themselves and their families but found death instead.” He also lamented that, too often, migrants do not find “understanding, welcome, or solidarity.”



Publication of the Encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015)

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of this encyclical, focused on care for creation and integral ecology. It is one of the most influential documents of his pontificate. In Laudato Si’, Francis addresses the environmental crisis and calls for a comprehensive ecological conversion. The encyclical has had a global impact, inspiring political leaders, organizations, and the faithful to take concrete action against climate change and promote social justice.

Signing of the Document on Human Fraternity (2019)


Together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyib, Pope Francis signed this historic document in Abu Dhabi, promoting peace, tolerance, and interreligious dialogue. This agreement is a milestone in Christian-Muslim relations and reflects Pope Francis' commitment to human fraternity and the fight against extremism and violence in the name of religion.
The document states:
"In the name of God and all that is good, Al-Azhar al-Sharif—with Muslims from East and West—together with the Catholic Church—with Catholics from East and West—declare their commitment to adopting the culture of dialogue as a path, mutual cooperation as a way of life, and reciprocal understanding as a method and standard."



Missionary Journeys to the Peripheries


Pope Francis has undertaken numerous apostolic journeys, bringing a message of hope and reconciliation to countries in conflict, those with Christian minorities, and nations on the periphery of the world. Some highlights include:

• Cuba (2015): Facilitating rapprochement between Cuba and the United States.
• Thailand and Japan (2019): Strengthening ties with other religious traditions and offering comfort to disaster victims.
• Canada (2022): Centering his message on reconciliation and justice for Indigenous peoples.
• Mongolia (2023), Indonesia, and Singapore (2024): Visiting countries with small Christian minorities, strengthening their faith. Mongolia, with only 1,400 Catholics, was blessed by the presence of the Pope of synodality.

In every papal visit, Francis reminds us that the Church is essentially missionary. And if it is missionary, it is synodal—a Church with open doors where everyone walks together. In each journey, Francis continues to lead by example, bringing the joy of the Gospel to the farthest corners of the world. 



Reform of the Roman Curia and the Fight Against Abuse

The reform of the Roman Curia and the fight against abuse have been central themes of his pontificate. Pope Francis has sought greater transparency and refocused the Church on its mission. This includes the creation of new dicasteries, the promotion of a culture of service over power, and increasing the participation of women in Church decision-making.

And for you, what other milestones define the legacy of Pope Francis’ pontificate?