On 21 April 2025, the world said goodbye to a spiritual leader who reshaped what it means to lead with humility, compassion, and courage. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. But his influence reached far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
I was born and raised a Catholic. Over the years, my relationship with the Church has evolved—shaped by life experience, critical thinking, and my own search for justice and belonging. And yet, some figures leave an imprint that transcends doctrine. Pope Francis was one of them.
Born in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, he carried the story of migration in his bones—something that shaped his deep empathy for those on the margins. As the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first to take the name Francis—after the saint known for his love of the poor and of creation—he broke centuries of tradition in quiet but powerful ways.
Born in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, he carried the story of migration in his bones—something that shaped his deep empathy for those on the margins.
As the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first to take the name Francis—after the saint known for his love of the poor and of creation—he broke centuries of tradition in quiet but powerful ways.
Commitment to social, economic and climate justice
His papacy was marked by a tireless commitment to social, economic, and climate justice. He called for action on the climate crisis long before it was politically convenient. He spoke out against what he called the “economy of exclusion,” and urged world leaders to place human dignity at the centre of policy and progress. He challenged both the Church and the world to care more, include more, and judge less.
Pope Francis led not through grandeur, but through gestures. Washing the feet of prisoners. Choosing a modest guesthouse over a palace. Visiting refugee camps. Speaking the language of love and justice in a world increasingly divided. He embodied a leadership style that was radical in its simplicity—and powerful in its consistency.
From the very beginning of his papacy, he set a tone of inclusion. “Who am I to judge?”—perhaps one of his most quoted lines—captured his approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, but also his broader message: that leadership must begin with empathy and listening. He didn’t change doctrine overnight, but he opened doors and softened the ground.
A true inclusive leader
As someone who studies inclusive leadership, I’ve found myself reflecting on how Pope Francis embodied the very traits I see in the most transformative leaders. Using the BELONG framework—a lens I developed to define inclusive leadership in action—I see his legacy through six guiding traits: Brave space, Equity, Listening, Our language, Noticing, and Good at repair.
He created a Brave space for difficult conversations—on sexuality, abuse, migration, and environmental degradation—pushing the Church to acknowledge pain, take accountability, and evolve.
He championed Equity in both his teachings and his actions, calling for solidarity with the poor, justice for migrants and refugees, and systems that centre human dignity over profit.
He practiced deep Listening, not only to those within the Church hierarchy, but to voices often ignored: indigenous leaders, survivors, climate activists, and people at the margins of society and faith.
He used Our (inclusive language)—language of inclusion and humility—referring to himself not as a monarch, but as a servant. His words often focused on “we” and “us” rather than “I” or “they.”
He had a gift for Noticing what others overlooked: the silent suffering, the unheard voices, the quiet dignity of everyday people. His leadership was attentive, not performative.
And though he could not undo all harm, he was Good at repair. He issued apologies. He acknowledged the Church’s failings. And he invited the institution he led to walk a path of healing and reconciliation.
Pope Francis reminded the world that leadership is not about command—it’s about care. About showing up not with answers, but with questions. Not with power over, but power with. In the face of division and despair, he chose the harder path: the path of unity, service, and love. That, to me, is powerfully good leadership.
May his memory be a blessing. And may his legacy inspire leaders in every sector to lead with humility, humanity, and hope.
Rest in peace, Pope Francis. And thank you.#
