• Pope Francis, known for reforming the Catholic Church, has passed away on Easter Monday.
• His papacy saw significant inclusivity and social justice initiatives contrasted with strong conservative backlash.
• He was the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years, elected during a period of great division within the Church.
• Francis made bold moves to involve women in Church leadership and tackle issues like sexual abuse and global peace.
• His simple lifestyle and calls for a Church focused on the poor resonated with millions globally.

Pope Francis, who significantly reshaped the Catholic Church, has passed away, marking the end of an era characterized by both profound reform and controversy. Elected in 2013, he was the first non-European pope in over 1,300 years and took office during a period of deep division following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His focus on inclusivity and social justice often placed him at odds with conservative elements within the Church, particularly in the United States, where criticisms of his papacy were pronounced. Francis' attempts to create a more welcoming Church made him a beloved figure to many, yet ignited fierce opposition from traditionalists, according to Reuters, Times of India, and The Jakarta Post.

During his tenure, Francis sought to bridge the conservative-progressive divide that had developed within the Church. His reforms included allowing baptized lay Catholics, including women, to head most departments of the Church's central administration. While he appointed more women in senior roles than any previous pope, progressives felt that his actions did not meet their expectations. His reforms were often met with skepticism and criticism, as seen in a 2023 anonymous memo by Cardinal George Pell, which labeled Francis' papacy as a "catastrophe," highlighting the ongoing tension within Catholic leadership, according to Times of India and The Jakarta Post.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was a vocal advocate for peace and social justice. His inability to mediate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine was a notable disappointment, particularly after his scathing remarks about Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, whom he referred to as "Putin's Altar Boy." Additionally, he was an outspoken critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza and called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas. His actions signified a significant departure from traditional papal diplomacy, creating mixed reactions from both supporters and detractors alike, as reported by Reuters, Times of India, and The Jakarta Post.

Pope Francis was also faced with lingering issues of sexual abuse within the Church. His tenure was marked by a heightened awareness of the necessity for transparency and accountability. In 2019, he summoned Church leaders to a summit addressing child sex abuse, which led to significant revelations regarding the handling of abuse cases. Although praised for these efforts, he was often criticized for the timeliness and adequacy of his responses, particularly during his early years in office when this issue escalated dramatically. His reforms, particularly the abolition of "pontifical secrecy," aimed at greater transparency, although many advocates argued that they came too late, according to Reuters, Times of India, and The Jakarta Post.

Notably, Francis endeared many with his humble lifestyle and outreach to the marginalized. He famously dismissed the opulent traditions associated with the papacy, opting instead for the simple accommodations of the Santa Marta residence and a modest dress code. His call for a Church that is "poor and for the poor" resonated strongly with followers worldwide. This humility and personal touch, including his actions such as phoning people in need, contributed to what became known as the "Francis Effect," reflecting a warm approach to papal leadership that contrasted sharply with his predecessors, according to Reuters, Times of India, and The Jakarta Post.