Pope Francis modelled a path rooted in honesty, compassion, and deep concern for human dignity.
William Gali
I am one of the many who will deeply miss Pope Francis, yet I remain hopeful that his
legacy—especially his Shepherd-style leadership—will live on. By leadership, I mean
everyone entrusted with responsibility in the Church: from the Pope to clergy, religious,
community and family leaders, and heads of Christian institutions, including lay
associations.
Pope John Paul II dreamed of a pope from the New World—a hope fulfilled on March 13,
2013, with the election of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit, first pope from the Americas, and
the first non-European in over 1,200 years. All this was significant as his papacy marked a
turning point for those longing for a Global Church that is open, inclusive, and
compassionate. Pope Francis lived out the vision of Jesus, who asked Peter, a fisherman, to
take on this role. He did nothing exceptional but did what Jesus asked us to do: wash one
anothers feet.
Pope Francis, who took the name of the poor man of Assisi, did this as if it
were his only nature, despite being the head of the largest institutions in the world. He
leaves this legacy to the incoming Pope and all church leaders. My heartfelt prayer is that
all Church leaders carry forward the legacy of the People’s Pope.
“The Church is for everyone”—Pope Francis powerfully expressed this vision of an
inclusive Church in a landmark interview by the Jesuit (September 19, 2013). He likened
the Church to a field hospital after battle, saying it must first heal wounds and warm hearts,
not focus on rules or minor concerns. This striking metaphor captured global attention,
reflecting his deep commitment to mercy, compassion, and caring for those suffering
before anything else.
Pope Francis consistently emphasised that blessings are meant for all
individuals, reflecting his inclusive pastoral approach. In a January 2024 interview with La
Stampa, he stated, The Gospel is to sanctify everyone, highlighting that the Church should
not create lists determining who is welcome and who is not. A few things that testify to
this commitment are:
* Francis emphasises mercy over judgment, compassion and pastoral accompaniment
over rigid rule enforcement.
* Advocacy for encounter over ideology, urging against reducing faith to doctrine
alone.
* Allowing blessings for all people, emphasising pastoral care over doctrinal judgment
through Fiducia Supplicans (2023).
* Launching of the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024), allowing laypeople (including
women) voting rights.
* Washing the feet of women prisoners, encountering the LGBTQI+ community, and
advocating for humane migration policies.
* Appointing cardinals and bishops from underrepresented regions, signalling a shift
from Eurocentric leadership.
* Launching the annual World Day of the Poor, supporting local initiatives for the poor
and excluded. And so on and on.
If this is the kind of Church Pope Francis envisioned—a field hospital for the
wounded—then its shepherds must reflect that same spirit of closeness and compassion.
From the start of his papacy, Pope Francis called for “shepherds with the smell of the
sheep,” urging Church leaders to live among their people, truly knowing their struggles and
joys. This memorable phrase, first shared during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday in
2013, echoed the biblical image of God providing shepherds after His own heart—those
who protect the suffering and comfort the innocent. Pope Francis lived this out not through
grand gestures, but through everyday humility, presence, and service, becoming a shepherd
who walked with his flock. This was reflected through:
* Francis emphasised the importance of priests and bishops being close to their
communities, living in simple apartments, and walking with them through everyday
joys and struggles.
* Authentic Humility and Service through the church leaders living in the lives of
those they serve, especially the poor, marginalised, and suffering.
* Incarnational ministry reflects Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows, loves, and
lays down his life for his sheep and reflects the pastoral, humble, and grounded in
lived realities of Church leadership.
* Blessings for Everyone: The Church does not bless same-sex unions, but can bless
individuals seeking Gods grace. The Vaticans 2023 declaration, Fiducia Supplicans,
supports this view, permitting priests to offer blessings to individuals in same-sex
relationships, provided they are not confused with marriage rites.
Leadership often intersects with politics, and Pope Francis modelled a path marked not by
activism, but by diplomacy rooted in honesty, compassion, and deep concern for human
dignity. He spoke boldly about injustice without judgment or accusation, earning respect
even from secular authorities and the powerful because his words came from lived
experience and personal suffering, not ideology. Francis used his jurisdiction not to
manipulate but to open spaces for dialogue and healing. His approach was grounded in
kindness and respect for the marginalised and those in power. His politics was one of
listening, negotiating, and washing feet—showing that true Christian diplomacy is born
from love, not revenge or self-interest.
william.gali@familyforeverychild.org
