Pope Francis dies at 88, remembered for progressive legacy

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at the age of 88.

Francis will be remembered by Canadian Catholics as a forward-thinking leader whose papacy marked a turning point in Indigenous relations.

Originally from Argentina, Francis shook the Catholic Church’s traditions by reaching out to members of the LGBTQ community and championing the rights of immigrants and the poor.

Pope Francis came to Canada in July of 2022, the trip mainly focused on apologizing for the Catholic Church’s role with residential schools and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

“Pope Francis pushed the Catholic Church to confront its past and seek a path for reconciliation and change,” said the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

He served as the global head of Canada’s largest organized religion. According to the 2021 census, nearly 11 million Canadians identified as Catholic—second only to those with no religious affiliation.

Toward the end of his life, he battled a host of health issues that left him weakened and often forced to rely on a wheelchair or canes.

Francis recently spent 38 days in hospital with double pneumonia, during which he came close to death.

The Vatican says Francis died from a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

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His death caught people off guard in Hamilton, with many people that attended Easter Monday mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church reflecting on the Pope’s leadership.

“Preaching acceptance, love – he was a big leader for the youth, his impact on them as well,” said one person.

“[Him] being a great leader and preaching acceptance, love and mercy were his biggest contributions,” said another person.

Pope Francis is also praised for opening the way for acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

“We feel heard,” said Deidre Pike, an inclusion facilitator at Queer Positive Power, “you know my partner and I, we were blessed by our parish priest by St. Joe’s here in Hamilton, because the Pope said ‘the blessing of two people is a good thing’ so why would you hold back from something like that?”

Canada’s political leaders also expressed condolences over the Pope’s death.

“He was in many respects the world’s conscience, never hesitating to challenge the powerful on behalf of the vulnerable,” said Liberal Leader Mark Carney.

“There have been countless millions of Catholics and non-Catholics that have been inspired by his leadership,” said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

“Pope Francis showed the world that faith can be a force for justice,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

St. Catharines Bishop Gerard Paul Bergie said he expects to be at the Pope’s funeral and is praying for him, “with thanksgiving for his life of servant leadership, and the profound influence he had on the Church in the world.”

The Pope issued a statement June 29, 2022, looking ahead to his death.

It instructed Vatican officials to carry out a simple burial for him in a basilica in Rome, away from the Vatican where he would stop to pray to the Virgin Mary.

Francis’ body will be put on display in an open coffin in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. His successor will be chosen during a gathering of cardinals charged with electing a new pope.

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