Pope Francis: The Cool Grandpa Who Tried to Save the World (and the Church)
- Jessica Ramirez
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
Pope Francis ditched the palace, rode a beater car, and might’ve only scolded your carbon footprint. Here's the the surprisingly rebellious, refreshingly human legacy of the most un-papal pope you never expected.
When Pope Francis rolled onto the scene in 2013, he didn’t just bring a new face to the Vatican—he brought a breath of fresh air, a bag full of metaphors, and a pair of shoes that weren’t Prada. As the first Jesuit pope, first Latin American pope, and the first pontiff to pick the name “Francis” (after Saint Francis of Assisi, the O.G. of humility and nature love), the man was already breaking records before he finished his first tweet.
The “Who Am I to Judge?” Pope
Let’s start with the quote that launched a thousand op-eds: “Who am I to judge?” In five simple words, Pope Francis cracked open the doors of the Catholic Church just a little wider, especially for the LGBTQ+ community and people who felt judged, forgotten, or pushed aside by traditional Church teachings. That line wasn’t just PR gold—it became a symbol of his entire inclusive, compassionate, pastoral approach to leading 1.3 billion Catholics around the globe.
Popemobile of the People
While some leaders like their limos bulletproof and bedazzled, Pope Francis rode around in a used Renault and kept his papal digs relatively modest. He ditched the palace-like papal apartment for a guesthouse and once said he’d rather see a Church that’s bruised, hurting, and dirty than one that’s stuck in its ivory tower. Basically, if he were your grandpa, he’d be the one fixing your bike and handing you a peanut butter sandwich while talking about climate change.
Saving the Planet, One Encyclical at a Time
Speaking of climate change: in 2015, Francis dropped Laudato Si’, the Church’s first encyclical focused entirely on environmental responsibility. And let’s be clear—it wasn’t vague. He called out corporations, politicians, and anyone treating the planet like their personal trash can. He even scolded air conditioning. Yep. AC. Climate denial? Not on his watch. He wanted everyone, Catholic or not, to get serious about eco-justice and saving our “common home.”
Synodality: It’s a Thing Now
Pope Francis loved a good synod. What’s that? Basically, a holy brainstorming session. But instead of only bishops talking to bishops about bishop things, he expanded it to include laypeople, women, and even people who gasp disagreed with him. This was part of his push for “synodality”—a wonky word for a revolutionary idea: the Church should listen more than it talks.
Interfaith Rockstar
The man wasn’t just talking to Catholics. Francis was a global interfaith diplomat. He signed the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi—basically a holy mic drop that said, “Peace, people. Let’s work together.” From rabbis to imams to atheists, Francis had a knack for finding common ground in uncommon places.
Not All Sunshine and Doves
Now, let’s not canonize him just yet (well, not officially). Pope Francis had his critics. Some thought he didn’t go far enough, especially on clergy sexual abuse, women’s ordination, and certain Vatican money mysteries. Others thought he went way too far, accusing him of turning Catholicism into a TED Talk. But hey, when both sides think you’re doing too much and not enough—that might just mean you’re actually doing something.
In his 12-year papacy, Francis reshaped how the world sees Catholicism—from a fortress of rules to a field hospital of mercy. He talked like a human being, acted like a servant, and led like a shepherd who wasn’t afraid to get muddy. His death in 2025 at age 88 was mourned not just by Catholics, but by world leaders, environmentalists, and even late-night comedians who knew comedy gold when they saw it.
In the end, Pope Francis didn’t just lead the Church. He humanized it.
References (Because We’re Not Just Pretty Words)
Britannica: Francis I – pope of Roman Catholic Church
Time Magazine: Pope Francis obituary
NCR Online: Decade of Pope Francis
Wikipedia: Document on Human Fraternity
The Times: Pope Francis legacy
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