On 21 April 2025, the world bid farewell to a spiritual giant—Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome. His passing marked the end of a pontificate that spanned twelve transformative years, defined by courage, compassion, and deep pastoral sensitivity.
More than a figurehead, Pope Francis was a shepherd who walked with his people, especially the marginalised, the wounded, and the forgotten. For Catholics around the world—and especially here in Hong Kong—his life and ministry continue to speak powerfully to the challenges of our time.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s election on 13 March 2013 was itself a moment of historic firsts. He was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit to become pope, and the first to take the name Francis, in honour of St. Francis of Assisi. In these choices lay a preview of the themes that would define his papacy: humility, care for creation, solidarity with the poor, and a preferential option for peace.
“My people are poor, and I am one of them,” he once said, choosing to reside in a modest apartment in Domus Sanctae Marthae rather than the papal palace. This decision was symbolic of a broader revolution—not one of doctrine, but of attitude and witness.
More than a figurehead, Pope Francis was a shepherd who walked with his people, especially the marginalised, the wounded, and the forgotten. For Catholics around the world—and especially here in Hong Kong—his life and ministry continue to speak powerfully to the challenges of our time
Pope Francis brought the Church to the geographical and existential margins. Just months after his election, his first pastoral visit as pope was to Lampedusa, a symbolic gesture of solidarity with migrants who had died at sea. That moment set the tone for a papacy rooted in accompaniment.
He made 48 international trips to 60 countries, not to grand stages, but to places yearning for peace, healing, and dignity—Mongolia, Iraq, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others. His presence brought hope and drew the attention of the global Church to the suffering of millions.
Pope Francis also embarked on a bold mission of reform. He tackled issues that plagued the Church internally—financial opacity, sexual abuse, and structural stagnation. He established greater accountability and transparency through apostolic exhortations and changes to the Vatican’s legal framework, even opening trials against high-ranking clerics.
He sought to decentralise Church governance, giving local Churches a stronger voice. His 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium restructured the Roman Curia to serve the missionary dimension of the Church better, replacing bureaucracy with pastoral outreach.
Pope Francis brought the Church to the geographical and existential margins. Just months after his election, his first pastoral visit as pope was to Lampedusa, a symbolic gesture of solidarity with migrants who had died at sea
One of Francis’s lasting legacies will be his encyclicals, particularly Laudato Si’ [2015], which called for an “ecological conversion,” linking care for the environment with care for the poor. This document resonated far beyond Catholic circles, influencing global climate conversations.
In Fratelli Tutti [2020], written during the Covid-19 pandemic, he reminded the world that “no one is saved alone.” His vision of human fraternity extended to all peoples, all faiths, and all lands—a clarion call to overcome division through dialogue and solidarity.
A heart for China
Perhaps the most distinct hallmark of Francis’s pontificate was his insistence on mercy. From proclaiming the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016 to his teachings on inclusion and forgiveness, he opened the Church’s doors wider than ever. His focus was not to dilute the gospel but to embody it more authentically.
Pope Francis consistently demonstrated his concern and love for the Church in China. Amid geopolitical tensions, he pursued a path of dialogue and diplomacy, balancing fidelity to Church tradition with openness to new possibilities. His efforts culminated in agreements on the appointment of bishops in mainland China, aimed at fostering unity and mutual recognition.
Notably, he appointed Cardinal John Tong Hon and later Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., whose leadership embodies Francis’s vision of engagement and bridge-building. In Cardinal Stephen, a fellow Jesuit and advocate for dialogue, Pope Francis entrusted the Hong Kong Church with a mission of healing and hope amid political and social complexities. This gesture highlighted his deep attentiveness to the realities of local churches and his unwavering support for their pastoral journey.
Pope Francis consistently demonstrated his concern and love for the Church in China. Amid geopolitical tensions, he pursued a path of dialogue and diplomacy, balancing fidelity to Church tradition with openness to new possibilities
Women, youth, and the synodal Church
Francis expanded the role of women in the Vatican, increasing their participation in decision-making bodies. He also invited youth into the heart of the Church’s renewal through synods and World Youth Days. His final synod, held in 2024, emphasised synodality—not just as an event but as a way of being Church: walking together, listening, and discerning the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Despite resistance, especially from more conservative sectors of the Church, Pope Francis stood firm in his convictions, echoing his belief that “realities are greater than ideas,” and that the Church must be a “field hospital” ready to bind wounds, not merely uphold rules.
Final witness
Even amid frailty and illness, Pope Francis continued to serve with remarkable determination. In his last months, he appointed bishops, made personal phone calls to places of conflict like Gaza, and published Spera—his autobiographical reflection on hope.
He once said, “Hope is the virtue of a heart that does not lock itself into darkness.” It is this hope—theological, pastoral, and deeply human—that best encapsulates the legacy of Pope Francis.
The Church in Hong Kong joins the universal Church in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His papacy reminded us that the Gospel is not an abstraction but a way of life, marked by mercy, humility, and joy. His words, deeds, and example will continue to guide our mission in proclaiming the Good News to all nations—including our beloved Hong Kong.
May the spirit of Pope Francis continue to inspire the Church to be ever more merciful, ever more inclusive, and ever more faithful to the heart of Christ. SE
