Pope Francis Passes Away: His Reformist Approach to Abortion, LGBTQ Rights, and More

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] 21 April: When Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope in 2013, many were surprised. He was the first pope from South America and the first Jesuit to hold the title. Growing up in Buenos Aires, he often took buses and lived simply. As pope, he chose the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, who loved the poor. His simple lifestyle and warm tone made people feel closer to the Church, even if some didn’t agree with all his views.

His Stand on Abortion and Women

Francis did not support abortion. He believed that life starts early and should be protected. But he never used harsh words for women who had abortions. Instead, he asked priests to be kind and forgiving. He also allowed more women to hold powerful roles in the Church. This was new because earlier, only men had those jobs. His message was clear—be kind, be loving, and do not judge quickly.

Welcoming LGBTQ and Building Bridges

The Pope’s famous line, “Who am I to judge?” touched many hearts. He believed that everyone, including LGBTQ people, deserved love and respect. Though Church rules didn’t change much, his words gave hope to many. He even allowed blessings for same-sex couples and opened Church roles to transgender people. In his own country, Argentina, he had earlier supported civil unions. His aim was to include, not push away.

Speaking Against Power and Greed

Francis spoke strongly against money and power. He said the world was becoming selfish and unfair. He wanted rich countries and big companies to care more about workers and poor people. He even said that some economic systems were killing human values. He asked for better wages, fair rules, and dignity for every worker. His voice was loud and clear—people must come before profit.

Reforms, Climate, and Peace

Francis worked hard to clean up the Church’s financial issues. He also talked openly about climate change and how the planet was being harmed. His letter, Laudato Si’, became famous for saying that both the Earth and poor people are suffering together. He also wanted peace—he hated nuclear weapons and war. When he visited Muslim nations like UAE and Iraq, he made history by calling for friendship and peace between religions. His time as pope was full of bold steps that shook the old walls of silence.