The Pope and I: A Reflection on the Pontificate of Pope Francis

On April 21, 2025, the 266th died. Pope Francis is the first Pope I really paid atrendtok to more closely. I still remember in 2013 a video screen being present in my religion class classroom as the Papal Conclave which elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy was going on. I remember watching a television in the cafeteria of St. Matthew School as I watched the now Pope Francis appear in St. Peter’s Square for the first time. I was naïve and did not realize the preverbal rollercoaster that this man’s papacy would be.

He quickly made waves with Laudato Si, his encyclical on the environment. I remember being skeptical of this. To my 16-year-old American mind it seemed "progressive" and given the election year I was definitely sensitive to the preceived "environmentalist" tone of the document. I will say I never as nd still have not read the whole document (nor any of his other writings).

I remember that I was disappointed at his supposed endorsement of the Covid-19 Vacccine Mandates. I felt he was perhaps unintentionally instilling fear in Catholics. I acknowledge this may not be the case:

While I haven't been in a long while, I do have a love and affection for the Latin Mass. So when Traditionis Custodes was promulgated I was grieved as I'd just began attending Latin Mass. At the time, I didn't understand why Pope Francis did this. Eventually, I did read the letter to the bishops attached to this Apostolic letter or at least parts of it. Also as time has past, though it saddens me greatly to see this beautiful form of the liturgy, I recognize there are extremely concerning issues among certain circles attacehd to this form of the liturgy. I trust this is doing good for the wider Church even if I don't quite see how.

That year was also the Year or St. Jospeh. I dotn remember exactly it I did anything during that year specifically for St. Joseph. Yet, the beautiful document, Patris Corde was written during this year. I would read it or rather hear it read at a household commitment ar Franciscan for the Household I'd eventually join, Lilies of St. Joseph. I need to revisit it as I do not remember what was exactly was said. I do remember talking about the fatherhood of St. Joseph.

Lastly, I will always recall the Papal Bull announcing the Jubilee Year. His refelgtionin hope was so beautiful. It reminded me just how important hope is. I only grieve that he could not finish the Jubilee he began. But the grace of the Lord will lead the upcoming conclave (beginning Wednesday) to choose the new Pope, the man who the Church needs. May Pope Francis rest in peace.