Five things that won Pope Francis followers, and earned him critics

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father." Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced on Easter Monday.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was by all measures an influential personality. His bold stances on social and moral issues offered hope to many, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, who sought a more compassionate Church.

But his views also drew the Pontiff stinging rebuke from critics, who more often than not accused him of sidestepping the Biblical and Church doctrines the papacy lives to uphold, challenging the very foundations of the Catholic Church.

Even in death, Pope Francis remains a polarising figure. 

To some, he was a Pope for modern times, while to others, he was a departure from sacred tradition. The Standard revisits five topics that defined his papacy, and divided opinion:

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1. Same-sex unions

Pope Francis sparked intense debate when he urged the Church to treat LGBTQ individuals with dignity and compassion, despite longstanding Biblical interpretations limiting marriage to unions between a man and a woman.

Citing Leviticus 18:22- "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable"—critics argued the Pope was undermining scripture.

The Pope agreed that indeed this was a sin, but insisted that it was not a crime despite over 60 countries, including Kenya, criminalising the act.

Further, he allowed the priests to bless such unions but not in the same style they would for a man and a woman.

In 2023, he told the Associated Press, “Being homosexual isn’t a crime”, almost similar to his other famous quote on the subject, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, Who am I to judge him?”

2. Abortion rights

The Argentinian Pope upheld a more traditional view on abortion, calling the termination of pregnancy a grave sin. 

“The Church is so strict on this issue because accepting this is kind of like accepting daily murder,” he once said.

However, he was open to offering pastoral care for women who had procured abortions, something some equated to a show of forgiveness.

3. Communion for divorcees

Historically, divorced Catholics who remarried outside the Church were barred from receiving Holy Communion. 

But Pope Francis challenged this exclusion.

He was of the view that priests needed to show mercy to the divorced and the remarried, and encouraged the clergy to walk the journey of faith with those affected and allowing them to get the communion on a case-by-case basis.

On this the Pope said: “In fact, these people are not excommunicated, and they absolutely must not be treated as such. They are still part of the church.” 

4. Immigration

Compassion for migrants and asylum seekers was a hallmark of Francis’s papacy. 

Many of the Pope’s homilies called on global leaders to address the displacement of refugees across the world.

When the US and UK adopted immigration policies that involved turning away migrants, Pope Francis pleaded for them to be accepted and integrated.

He will be remembered for promoting legal migration.

5. Climate change

Pope Francis was one of the most vocal religious leaders on climate change, aligning with figures like King Charles III in advocating for environmental stewardship.

His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ linked care for the Earth to care for humanity, framing ecological responsibility as a moral and spiritual imperative.

In his condolence message, King Charles praised Francis’s environmental advocacy: "His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world."

While Pope Francis won widespread admiration for his empathy and reformist zeal, his forays into hot-button issues, often viewed through political lenses, drew criticism from those who preferred a more traditional, pastoral role for the papacy.

Even in death, his legacy continues to provoke reflection, debate, and prayer.