When Pope Francis appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in 2013, he introduced himself as someone called from the “end of the world.” As the first non-European pope in over a millennium and the first from Latin America, his election was a powerful signal that the Catholic Church was no longer Eurocentric. His background was not a mere detail—it shaped a papacy that sought to refocus the Church’s mission toward the world’s peripheries and bring global inclusivity to its core values.
Before his papacy, Jorge Mario Bergoglio served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he supported priests working in impoverished areas. The Catholic Church had already established a presence in Argentina’s slums through the Priests for the Third World, a group inspired by liberation theology that emphasized siding with the marginalized. Francis continued this tradition, stressing that the Church should reach not only geographical but also “existential peripheries” to stay relevant in an evolving global context.
Balancing Social Justice, Global Inclusion, and Church Tradition Amid Political and Theological Tensions
Francis had a complex relationship with liberation theology, which was associated with Marxist ideology and viewed warily by the Vatican during the Cold War. Influenced by the “theology of the people,” a variant more rooted in local culture and less in Marxist theory, Bergoglio sought to support the poor without embracing radical politics. His caution during Argentina’s military dictatorship led to controversy over his role in the abduction of two Jesuit priests, although he later defended his actions as attempts to protect them.
Pope Francis Reshapes the Catholic Church Through Global Inclusion and OutreachUnlike his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, who deeply engaged with Europe’s theological and political challenges, Pope Francis expanded the Church’s focus beyond the West. He emphasized inclusivity, calling the Church a “field hospital” for all of humanity. This global perspective was reflected in his reshaping of the College of Cardinals, where non-European representation increased significantly, diluting the historic dominance of European clerics in choosing future popes.
Embracing Global Outreach and Dialogue Over Political Alignment in a Divided World
Pope Francis’s international visits, including to countries like Iraq and the UAE, symbolized his commitment to a truly global Church. These travels reflected his desire to engage Catholics in regions where they are minorities and to highlight interfaith solidarity. His leadership marked a break from traditional Vatican diplomacy, choosing outreach over reinforcement of Western cultural and political alliances.
Francis rejected the strategy of aligning the Church with political powers, a contrast to the approach of Pope Benedict. In his view, sacred values should not be used for political leverage. This neutral stance has drawn criticism, especially regarding his responses to conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza, where he refrained from outright condemnation. Yet, his consistent advocacy for peace and dialogue, even with controversial leaders, underscores his belief in bridging divides rather than deepening them.