The news of Pope Francis’ passing has swept across the world, stirring mourning among the faithful and beyond. He was a leader loved for his humility, courage, and refusal to be boxed into the trappings of tradition. And now, he is gone. A mortal man, like all of us—“from dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19).
But as the Catholic Church prepares to bid him farewell, we are
confronted with a familiar pattern: an over-mystified farewell, drenched in
tradition and pageantry, that risks distracting us from the Gospel message he
so often sought to live out.
Hierarchy or Humility? A Tension in the Church
For centuries, the Church has been both the body of Christ and a deeply
human institution. While structures can serve order, they can also foster
distance. They can unintentionally elevate leaders into untouchable figures,
creating layers between the pulpit and the pew.
Pope Francis understood this tension—and often resisted it. One of his
first acts as pope was not to speak, but to bow and ask the people to pray for
him. That simple gesture was a statement: leadership in the Church is not a
crown to wear, but a cross to bear.
In his own words:
“The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors
always wide open… to all.”
— Evangelii Gaudium, 2013
He frequently challenged clericalism, calling it “a perversion of
the Church.” He reminded bishops and priests that they are not masters but
servants, echoing the words of Christ Himself:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”
(Mark 10:43).
The Early Church: A Simpler, Shared Faith
Looking back at the early Church as described in the Book of Acts, we
see a radically different image from today’s hierarchical model.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
There were no titles, no ornate robes, no gold rings to kiss. Just
ordinary people living out extraordinary love, service, and community.
It was that spirit Pope Francis sought to recapture. He lived simply,
rejected papal palaces, and prioritized listening to those at the margins. He
invited the Church to be a "field hospital after battle,” rather
than a fortress of exclusivity.
What Now? A Church at a Crossroads
The temptation in moments like these is to enshrine the pope in marble
and move on—business as usual. But that would be a missed opportunity. We must
instead ask: What kind of Church are we becoming? One that looks like Jesus or
one that looks like Caesar?
The Second Vatican Council tried to reignite a sense of equality and
mission among all believers, declaring the Church as “the People of God.”
Pope Francis tried to take that further, envisioning a synodal Church, one that
walks, listens, and decides together.
And yet, the gravitational pull of ritual and rank remains strong. The
Church risks becoming a beautiful cathedral with locked doors.
Honoring Pope Francis by Living His Vision
Pope Francis never wanted to be idolized. He wanted the Church to
follow Christ. He once said:
“Jesus did not tell his disciples, ‘Go, make organizations, and form
committees.’ No! He said, ‘Go, make disciples!’”
To honor him, we must continue his work, not just in policy, but in
posture. Simplicity over ceremony. Presence over prestige. Unity over
hierarchy.
Let us become the kind of Church where every believer feels they
belong. Where leadership is service, not separation. Where Christ is at the
center, not tradition for tradition’s sake.
Let his death be more than a ceremony. Let it be a summons to a
simpler, humbler, more Christlike Church.
Your thoughts?
What do you think the future of the Church should look like after Pope
Francis? Share in the comments below or join the conversation.
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