As the first Jesuit pope, Pope Francis brought values of compassion, acceptance and justice to the papacy. His stances on LGBTQIA+ rights, abortion, immigration policy and climate change reflect a genuine dedication to the Catholic faith, one rooted in the memory of Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis was outspoken on issues of immigration and climate change throughout his papacy. In 2016, Pope Francis explained that anyone in favor of a wall to keep migrants from entering a nation “is not a Christian.” Building a barrier preventing those in search of help from aid directly challenges the life and teachings of Christ. This position demonstrates what it truly means to be Christian: All people are to be treated with respect and dignity.
In his encyclical titled “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis further applied Christian values to address modern issues. In the letter, the pope condemned the exploitation of cheap labor and highlighted the importance of caring for the Earth. The pope taught that stewardship toward God’s creation was an essential aspect of Christianity and called for action to prevent the climate crisis from worsening.
On the topic of LGBTQ rights, Pope Francis famously questioned, “Who am I to judge?” emphasizing the importance of human dignity for all people, regardless of Church doctrine. Francis also condemned laws targeting the LGBTQ community, calling them “unjust” and ignorant of an individual’s dignity.
Although firm in his anti-abortion beliefs, Pope Francis announced in 2016 that all priests would be able to absolve those who sought God’s forgiveness for undergoing an abortion. Francis exemplified Christ’s mercy, promoting compassion over punishment in situations that can be seen as morally complex and demonstrating that a shift toward a more inclusive Catholic Church is possible.
Pope Francis’ papacy was characterized by a commitment to protecting the human dignity of all people, including impoverished and marginalized communities. Francis led the Catholic Church by adhering to the teachings and values of Jesus Christ, as opposed to the strict doctrine written by man. He also rejected interpretations of Christianity used to justify the condemnation of others, instead promoting forgiveness, acceptance and inclusion. In doing so, he reminds us of what a faith centered around Christ should look like: one not rooted in exclusivity but in mercy, love and unity.
