In a troubled world full of darkness, Pope Francis continues to radiate light!

On a recent visit to Vatican City, writer Patrick O Brien ponders on Pope Francis unique ‘footprint’ on the world,  reminding him of Pope John Paul II, who saved a Jewish girl during the Holocaust in his native Poland, and who later stood up to Soviet authorities, brave men of faith, who put their money where their mouths were. 

Without doubt, Pope Francis has reshaped the Catholic Church with a focus on the poor, inclusivity, and global outreach. Though sick, he continues to exercise papal authority while embracing human frailty during his illness from pneumonia. Despite speculation about his papacy’s future, he remains in control, appointing bishops and directing church affairs. During this time of political upheaval and widespread uncertainty, he is dearly missed by his followers. After a 5-week hospital stay that triggered fears of a potential papal resignation, Pope Francis returned with vigor to the Vatican last Sunday to delight of those praying for his good health.

As the first Jesuit Pope, the first Latin American Pope and the first Pope from the global south in many centuries Pope Francis brought a fresh perspective “from below” or “from the ends of the earth” as he put it when he was elected. During his pontificate he has sought to shift the focus of theology from the abstract and from historical formulae to the contextual and practical. Over 12 years, Francis has sought to impose a kind of normality on the papacy with his informal style and disdain for pomp, while ensuring that he still wields the awesome power held by Christ’s vicar on Earth and Europe’s last absolute monarch. Francis’s theology was grounded in the lived realities of time and place and drew on tradition with the aim of providing guidance for authentic Christian living in the actual circumstances in which people find themselves.  Pope Francis recognizes that “today war is being dangerously ‘re-evaluated’”.  People easily opt for war by advancing all kinds of apparently humanitarian, defensive or preventive excuses, even resorting to the manipulation of information. In his characteristic style, Pope Francis asks consciences: “Are we aware of the suffering of so many for the war? Are we aware of the risks for mankind?” “Are we distracted and focused on our own interests?”.  We are calm because the war does not touch us from nearby, he says, adding that these questions “should disturb the political leaders who will answer before God and the people for the continuation of wars”. 

Weeks before he was hospitalised, Pope Francis made a real-world effort toward working for peace in Ukraine. The gesture came as the 2025 Jubilee of Hope entered its second month, while at the same time the new administration of President Donald Trump was  getting into gear. The new president has promised to bring an end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, but we await to see the outcome of that.

The Pope conducted  a surprise video conference with young Ukrainians and responding to the questions of young people from different countries. At the beginning of the meeting, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said “this is probably the first time that Ukrainian youth have had the opportunity to communicate in this way with the Holy Father”. The Pope used the time to urge the need for work toward peace between Russia and Ukraine. 

“War always destroys,” Francis said. “The remedy is dialogue: always, among ourselves, even with those who oppose us. Please, never grow tired of dialogue. Peace is built through dialogue. It is true that sometimes dialogue is impossible due to the stubbornness of some, but we must always make the effort.” The Pope continued: “Life today is devalued. Money and war positions are given more importance than human life itself.” 

Any notion that the pope would resign were  rebuffed by the pontiff himself in his autobiography “Hope”, which was released earlier in January, he stated that he felt healthy and had no intention of stepping down. A lot has changed since then. Sketching the profile of Francis’ successor, they will need to find a man who can hold the helm in a turbulent period.. The future pope must be a warrior, a solid man who is able to continue shaking up the Church for modern times.