Pope Francis passed away after a long stewardship of the Catholic Church. He was elected the 266th Pope in 2013, the first from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first to take the name of Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. His death, in a way, also tells us about the challenges leaders face in bringing about change.Upon his election as Pope, he had to choose between the traditionalist and modern liberal factions of the Church. He had to tread a fine line, especially given that his predecessor was still very much present, and there were a lot of people still inclined towards his predecessor's way of thinking.
In the last 12-odd years that he has been Pope, he has tried to bring about reform in a very focused way. He appointed new cardinals and worked to improve the Vatican's disorganized finances, which showed signs of misuse at times. But it also reveals how difficult change can be. I am sure when he started, he believed he would bring about significant change. However, somewhere along the line, there has been some stimming, blocking, and adjustments in strategy were made.
To billions of Christians across the world, especially Roman Catholics, he signified a significant change from previous leadership. He was more humble and approachable. He embraced the view of the Pope as a shepherd needing to care for his flock. In his early days, he prioritized caring for the sick over focusing on larger changes.
Did age, capability, or the political situation affect him over time, or did he overcome these challenges? Only future generations will tell. The new Pope's election will show if the Catholic Church will follow his vision or revert to tradition.
A religious leader must adhere to specific values and principles.Leaders in politics differ greatly from the Pope in their communication and demeanor. In these challenging times, we can learn about humility, the nature of change, and the realistic impact one person can have.
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