Pope Francis: The Reforming Shepherd of the Catholic Church in the 21st Century

Born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and passing away on April 21, 2025, Jorge Mario Bergoglio became known to the world as Pope Francis, one of the most distinctive and transformative leaders in the long history of the Roman Catholic Church. When white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on March 13, 2013, signaling the election of a new pope, few outside Latin America knew much about him. But the world would soon come to recognize him—not only as the first Jesuit pope, but as a spiritual leader committed to mercy, reform, and humble service.

This article offers an in-depth biography of Pope Francis and his role as the Bishop of Rome. It explores his life before the papacy, his vision for a renewed Church, his major reforms and teachings, and the legacy he left behind in the twenty-first century.

I. Historical Context Before the Papacy of Pope Francis

The State of the Catholic Church before 2013

Before Pope Francis, the Catholic Church was weathering storms of crisis. Scandals involving clerical sexual abuse had shaken the confidence of many believers and eroded trust in Church leadership. Western societies were increasingly secular, with declining vocations to the priesthood and growing indifference toward religious life. The Church faced deep internal debates on issues ranging from liturgy to the role of women.

In this tense climate, Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing his resignation on February 11, 2013. It was the first papal resignation in over 600 years, and it triggered a Conclave where 115 cardinals from across the globe gathered to choose the next Vicar of Christ.

The 2013 Papal Conclave and the Election of Pope Francis

The conclave ended on March 13, 2013, when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pope. When he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he introduced himself with the simple words, “I am a sinner.” He took the name “Francis,” inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his radical poverty, humility, and love for creation. It was the first time a pope had chosen that name—a clear signal that a different kind of leadership had begun.

II. Biography of Pope Francis: From Buenos Aires to the Vatican

Early Life and Religious Calling

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born into a middle-class family of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires. His father, Mario, was a railway worker, and his mother, Regina, a homemaker. As a young man, Jorge studied chemistry but felt the call to religious life. At age 21, he entered the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order known for its intellectual rigor, missionary zeal, and spiritual discipline.

His path to priesthood was not without hardship. At 21, he suffered a severe illness that led to the removal of part of one lung. But this did not slow his determination. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and quickly gained a reputation for being a spiritual director who emphasized simplicity, prayer, and service.

Ministry and Rise in Church Leadership

By the late 1970s and 1980s, Bergoglio held several leadership roles within the Jesuits in Argentina. He became known for his spiritual wisdom and strong leadership during times of national political turmoil, including Argentina’s military dictatorship. In 1992, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, and in 1998, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

He was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001, gaining more influence in global Church affairs. Despite his growing responsibilities, he maintained a reputation for personal humility. He lived in a modest apartment, cooked his own meals, and rode public buses rather than private cars.

A Life of Humble Service

Cardinal Bergoglio’s pastoral style was deeply rooted in being present among the people. He ministered to the poor in Buenos Aires’ slums, washed the feet of AIDS patients, and consistently spoke against social inequality. He rejected ecclesiastical privilege and insisted that bishops live more like servants than royalty. These values would later define his papal ministry.

III. Pope Francis as the Bishop of Rome

Pastoral Priorities

From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis made it clear that he envisioned a “Church of the poor for the poor.” He often said he wanted pastors who “smelled like their sheep.” His early public gestures—paying his own hotel bill, riding in a simple car, and wearing simple white garments—sent a message that the Vatican’s grandeur would take a backseat to compassion and accessibility.

He focused the Church’s energy on mercy, inclusion, and mission. His famous response to a question about gay priests—“Who am I to judge?”—signaled a shift in tone, even if not in doctrine.

Vatican Reform

One of the first major tasks Pope Francis undertook was reforming the Roman Curia, the central administrative body of the Church. He established the Council of Cardinals (C9) to help him govern and revise the Apostolic Constitution, which had remained largely unchanged for decades.

He also prioritized financial transparency, initiating audits and restructuring the Vatican Bank to prevent misuse of Church funds. The pope emphasized that the Curia should serve the Gospel and not operate as a self-serving bureaucracy.

Global and Social Engagement

Pope Francis consistently spoke out on global justice issues. His 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, called for ecological responsibility and challenged world leaders to care for the planet. He connected environmental concerns with economic and social injustices, arguing that the poor suffered most from environmental destruction.

He spoke out in defense of refugees, calling for more humane immigration policies and denouncing a “globalization of indifference.” His visits to refugee camps and his open doors to immigrants set him apart as a pope willing to act on his words.

Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue

Pope Francis strengthened relations with Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim leaders. In a historic moment in 2019, he signed a document on Human Fraternity with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi. The declaration promoted mutual understanding, coexistence, and peace between Christians and Muslims.

These efforts reflected his vision of the Church as a bridge-builder and peacemaker in a fragmented world.

IV. Major Documents and Teachings

Apostolic Exhortations and Encyclicals

1. Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, 2013):
   Pope Francis’ first major document set the tone for his papacy. It called for a renewed missionary spirit and urged Catholics to go out to the peripheries—geographical and existential.
2. Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You, 2015):
   This became one of the most cited papal documents on the environment. It critiqued consumerism and unsustainable development and emphasized an integral ecology—care for both the planet and human life.
3. Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers, 2020):
   Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, this encyclical called for global fraternity, social friendship, and the dismantling of political and ideological barriers.

Symbolic Acts of Leadership

Pope Francis often used symbolism to reinforce his messages:

• Washing the feet of prisoners, women, and Muslims on Holy Thursday.
• Visiting slums and war-torn regions like Iraq and the Central African Republic.
• Choosing to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace.

Each act reinforced the message that leadership is service.

V. Reactions to Pope Francis’ Leadership

Praise and Hope

Millions around the world—both Catholic and non-Catholic—embraced Pope Francis for his humility, clarity, and concern for marginalized people. He was praised as a reformer, a prophet, and a unifying figure in a divided Church. His inclusion in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, as well as being named TIME’s Person of the Year in 2013, reflected this global admiration.

His commitment to synodality—inviting bishops, clergy, and laypeople into decision-making processes—encouraged a new form of ecclesial listening and collaboration.

Criticism and Resistance

At the same time, Pope Francis faced criticism from both traditionalists and progressives. Some conservative Catholics accused him of ambiguity, especially regarding issues like divorced and remarried Catholics receiving Communion. Others viewed his pastoral flexibility as doctrinal weakness.

Progressives, on the other hand, sometimes expressed frustration that his symbolic openness had not resulted in concrete changes on women’s ordination or LGBT inclusion.

Navigating Tensions with Grace

Despite the tensions, Pope Francis remained committed to unity. He emphasized discernment, dialogue, and gradual reform rather than abrupt changes. His response to critics was often silence, prayer, or appeal to deeper reflection.

VI. Legacy and Impact of Pope Francis

Comparisons with Previous Popes

Pope Francis was often compared with his immediate predecessors. His intellectual simplicity contrasted with the theological depth of Pope Benedict XVI, while his charisma was reminiscent of Pope John Paul II. Yet Francis brought his own spiritual DNA: that of a Jesuit who sought God in all things and that of a Latin American pastor deeply concerned with social injustice.

A Pope for the Modern World

Pope Francis redefined the papacy for the 21st century:

• As the first pope from the Global South, he represented a shift in the Church’s global focus.
• As the first Jesuit pope, he brought Ignatian discernment and missionary zeal.
• As Pope Francis, he reawakened the Church to simplicity, compassion, and joyful witness.

Continuing Influence

Even after his death on April 21, 2025, Pope Francis’ teachings, writings, and gestures continue to resonate. He left a foundation for future popes to build upon—one rooted in pastoral care, global justice, and a Church that listens.

Conclusion

Pope Francis reshaped what it meant to be a pope in our time. His biography is not merely a story of personal ascent, but of transformational leadership born from faith, humility, and vision. As the Church reflects on his legacy, his example challenges all believers to live the Gospel with mercy, boldness, and joy.

He showed the world that the Vicar of Christ could walk humbly, speak boldly, and love universally. And now that his earthly journey is complete, his influence as Francis I, the reforming shepherd, endures in hearts, homes, and communities across the globe.