Pope Francis, Transformational Politics, Progressive Ideology and the Anticipatory Future of Catholism.

Unspalsh

Pope Francis was known for his sincere and genuine nature. He likely adopted the name Francis for several reasons. Many scholars have suggested that he got the idea from St. Francis of Assisi, who forfeited the comforts of wealth and privilege, distanced himself from any attachments, and dedicated his life to loving and caring for others. Millions across the globe mourned the pope’s death. Presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, and other heads of state were quick to send their condolences to the Vatican and the billions of Catholics worldwide who revered their pastor and earthly Vicar of Christ.

Throughout his years as pope, Francis, who died on April 21, 2025, at age 88, focused on the dignity of human beings, especially those that others viewed as outsiders on the margins of society — whether migrants, prisoners (whom he routinely visited), or LGBTQIA+ people. “Who am I to judge?” he famously said when asked about his attitude toward gay men and women, comments that differed sharply from those of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who once described homosexuality as a tendency “ordered towards an intrinsic moral evil.” Such acute attention focused on outsiders was likely due to Francis’s own personal trajectory. He grew up in Argentina, several thousand miles…