John AdoyiThe passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has left the world reflecting on his revolutionary 12-year papacy, which reshaped the Catholic Church in ways both celebrated and criticized.
Known for his pastoral approach and willingness to challenge tradition, Francis, who was elected after Benedict XVI resigned, introduced reforms that redefined how the Church engages with modern society. Here are the five most impactful changes of his tenure:
Join our WhatsApp Channel1. A More Decentralised Church
Francis sought to shift power away from the Vatican, advocating a “synodal Church” where bishops and laypeople had greater influence. His 2022 apostolic constitution, Praedicate Evangelium, restructured the Roman Curia, allowing non-clerics to lead key Vatican departments for the first time. While critics warned this could weaken unity, supporters saw it as a necessary step toward a more inclusive and responsive Church.
2. A New Era of Mercy and Inclusion
Breaking from strict doctrinal rigidity, Francis emphasised compassion, particularly toward marginalised groups. His famous remark, “Who am I to judge?” regarding gay Catholics, signaled a more welcoming stance. He simplified the annulment process for divorced Catholics (2015) and, in a historic move, approved blessings for same-sex couples in 2023—a decision that sparked fierce backlash, especially from the Church in Africa.
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3. The Church’s Environmental Mission (Laudato Si’)
In his groundbreaking 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, Francis declared environmental protection a moral duty, calling climate change an urgent crisis. The document challenged Catholics to rethink their relationship with creation, influencing global climate discussions and earning him the nickname “the Green Pope.” Though some conservatives dismissed it as overreach, the encyclical remains a cornerstone of his legacy.
4. Cracking Down on Vatican Corruption
Determined to clean up the Church’s finances, Francis introduced sweeping reforms to increase transparency. He criminalised embezzlement within the Vatican and established independent oversight bodies. The 2020 trial of Cardinal Angelo Becciu—the first-ever criminal prosecution of a senior Vatican official—sent a clear message: financial misconduct would no longer be tolerated.
5. Bridging Divides Through Interfaith Dialogue
Francis made unprecedented strides in fostering unity among religions. He washed the feet of Muslim refugees, embraced Orthodox Christian leaders, and signed the Human Fraternity document with Sunni Islam’s Grand Imam in 2019. His pilgrimages to war-torn regions like Iraq and South Sudan reinforced his belief that the Church must be a force for reconciliation.
Pope Francis’ reforms left an indelible mark on Catholicism, though not without controversy. Traditionalists accused him of diluting doctrine, while progressives hailed him as a visionary who brought the Church into the 21st century. As the world mourns his passing, one thing is certain: his papacy redefined what it means to be Catholic in an ever-changing world. Francis once said: “A Church that does not listen, that does not change, grows old.”
