6 moments in which Pope Francis electrified the world

The pontiff brought several changes to the Catholic Church and has always been close to the people

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21, 2025 in Rome, at the age of 88. It was the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church and was in front of the pontificate for 12 years. His last public appearance occurred during the Easter celebration on April 20, when, visibly weakened, he granted the blessing “Urbi et orbi“.

Received with warm demonstrations of affection, he thrilled faithful from all over the world, appearing briefly in front of the crowd in the square of San Pietro. His death has sealed the end of one of the most transformative pontificates in the recent history of the Church, characterized by gestures of closeness, courageous reforms and a strong appeal to social justice.

See then 6 moments in which Pope Francis moved the world!

1. First appearance as Pope

On March 13, 2013, the world met the new leader of the Catholic Church: the Argentine cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose the name Francisco, in honor of San Francesco d’Assisi, a symbol of humility, peace and care for the poor. In his first appearance on the Porch of Basilica of San Pietro, he broke the protocols: before blessing the crowd, he asked the people pray For him, leaning his head in silence, gesture that thrilled millions.

His simple and affectionate tone was in contrast with the usual formality. He presented himself only as “the bishop of Rome” and, with an unprecedented lightness, joked that the cardinals were almost at the end of the world to choose him, since he was the first Latin American pope in history. The choice of the name, the request for prayer and the accessible language have marked the beginning of a pontificate focused on the dialogue, inclusion and spiritual reform of the Church.

2. Encyclical “Laudato yes” “

In his second encyclical, Pope Francis made a strong charm for the conservation of the environment. In “Laudato yes”“He denounced the damage caused by the predatory economic model and warned the effects of climate change, in particular on the poorest. Proposed “full ecology”, combining social justice and care with creation and criticized consumerism e culture disposal. The document had global repercussions and consolidated the Pope as one of the main defense items of the planet.

3. Important reforms in the Church

Pope Francis courageously faced one of the most delicate themes of the Catholic Church: cases of sexual abuse committed by the members of the clergy. Since the beginning of his pontificate, he broke the institutional silence he had long ago, publicly recognizing the severity of the crisis and the urgent need to face it.

In 2019, he convened an unprecedented Vatican summit with the bishops from all over the world to face the fight against abuse. At the time, he approved the document “You are lux mundi“, Which has established new guidelines to investigate and keep clerics – including bishops – to commit or cover abuses.

4. Visit in Brazil during the World Youth Day

Between 22 and 28 July 2013, Pope Francis made his first international journey as the leader of the Catholic Church, choosing Brazil as a destination for World Youth Day (JMJ) in Rio de Janeiro. The visit was marked by gestures of simplicity and closeness to people. As soon as he landed, he refused the armored car and made a point of riding in a simple car, with the windows open and stopping to greet the faithful on the streets.

During the visit, Francisco celebrated a mass at the national sanctuary of Aparecida, within the State of San Paolo, demonstrating his devotion to patron from Brazil. In Rio de Janeiro, he also visited the Varginha community in the Manginhos complex, where he entered the residents’ houses and spoke of the dignity of the poor, criticizing social inequality and abandonment of the suburbs.

The highlight was the shipment on the beach of Copacabana, which brought together about 3.7 million people, one of the largest crowds ever collected in the events of the Church. There he encouraged young people to “make a mess” – to get involved, participate and transform the world with faith and courage. His charismatic presence, spontaneous gestures and direct eyes on people’s hearts have left a deep mark in Brazil and in the world.

5. Opening to the LGBTQIA+ community

During his pontificate, Pope Francis adopted a more welcoming position community LGBTQIA+. At the beginning, in 2013, his phrase: “If a person is gay, he looks for God and has a good will, who am I to judge?”, Speaking of homosexual priests, has reported a significant change in the tone of the Church, promoting a more compassionate and inclusive vision. In 2023, with its approval, the Vatican authorized the blessing of pairs of the same sex, a symbolic gesture that recognized the value of these unions without breaking the official doctrine of the Church.

Francisco also firmly positioned themselves against the criminalization of homosexuality, claiming that all people should be treated with respect and dignity. Their attitudes made room for a more human dialogue within the Church, bringing the institution closer to many faithful who previously felt excluded.

6.

One of the most emblematic gestures of Pope Francis during his pontificate was the way he celebrated the washing ritual of the feet on Holy Thursday, breaking centuries of tradition. Instead of performing the ceremony with only members of the clergy, as was custom, he decided to wash the feet of the most forgotten by the company. This simple but powerful gesture has become a symbol of his leadership focused on humility, compassion and inclusion.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.