The Legacy, Popularity, and Future of Pope Francis: A Global Perspective

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff in Catholic history, has left an indelible mark on the Church, steering it toward modernity, inclusivity, and global relevance. His 12-year papacy, marked by sweeping reforms and a focus on social justice, has reshaped the Catholic Church’s trajectory and set the stage for a potentially transformative succession process.

A Legacy of Reform and Modernity

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis made history as the first pope from the Americas, symbolizing the Church’s shifting center of gravity. His papacy was characterized by a progressive approach to contentious issues, including climate change, poverty, and LGBTQ+ rights. While he stopped short of full doctrinal acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, his more open stance marked a significant departure from his predecessors.

Francis also addressed historical grievances, notably apologizing for the Church’s role in colonialism during a 2013 visit to Bolivia and for its involvement in Canada’s residential school system in 2022. These gestures, while polarizing, resonated with many, particularly younger Catholics, who viewed him as a beacon of change. A 2020 survey of British Catholics found that 50% believed Francis represented positive change, compared to just 7% who saw his leadership as detrimental. Among Catholics under 30, his approval ratings were even higher.

A Global Church in Transition

Under Francis, the Catholic Church became more reflective of its global congregation. Africa, the fastest-growing region for Catholicism, saw both an increase in the number of Catholics and a rise in the proportion of the population identifying as Catholic. The Americas, meanwhile, remained the most Catholic region, with 666.2 million adherents in 2022—64% of the continent’s population.

In contrast, Europe experienced a slight decline in its Catholic population, attributed to lower birth rates and a waning transmission of faith to younger generations. This trend underscores the Church’s growing reliance on regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America for its future vitality.

Diversifying the College of Cardinals

One of Francis’s most significant contributions was his efforts to diversify the College of Cardinals, the body responsible for electing the pope. Traditionally dominated by Europeans—particularly Italians—the College now better reflects the Church’s global demographics. Under Francis, only 40% of newly appointed cardinals were European, compared to 57% during the papacy of his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

This shift has opened the door for a broader range of candidates in future papal elections. Cardinals from regions historically underrepresented in the papacy, such as Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, are now considered strong contenders.

The Future of the Papacy

As Francis’s papacy drew to a close at the age of 88—making him the second-oldest pope in the past 500 years—attention turned to his potential successor. The diversification of the College of Cardinals has increased the likelihood of the next pope hailing from outside Europe, though Italian cardinals like Pietro Parolin and Matteo Zuppi remain prominent candidates.

The election process, known as a conclave, remains unpredictable. As Professor James Kelly of Durham University noted, “How they will elect is up in the air. Nobody knows, because nobody expected them to vote for Francis.”

A Name with Meaning

Once elected, the new pope’s choice of name will offer insight into the direction of his papacy. Francis, who took his name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, signaled a commitment to humility and service to the poor. Historically, the most common papal name has been John, a nod to significant Christian figures like John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.

Conclusion

Pope Francis’s tenure has redefined the papacy, emphasizing inclusivity, social justice, and global representation. His reforms and the diversification of the College of Cardinals have set the stage for a potentially historic succession, one that could further cement the Church’s evolution into a truly global institution.

As the Catholic world awaits the next conclave, the legacy of Francis will undoubtedly shape the future of the Church for generations to come.

WRITER: David Kwaku Sakyi