From Gaza to the Vatican: What the world is remembering most about Pope Francis
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, a wave of tributes and reflections has swept across the globe.
From the war-torn streets of Gaza to the solemn halls of the Vatican, people are remembering a pontiff who redefined what it meant to lead with compassion, humility, and bold moral clarity.
Here’s a look at the defining moments and legacies that the world is celebrating as it bids farewell to a pope who touched lives far beyond the walls of the Church.
A pope of radical compassion
Pope Francis broke centuries of tradition with a papacy grounded in radical inclusivity. He famously washed the feet of Muslim refugees, women inmates, the elderly, and the disabled, acts of humility that reflected his unshakeable commitment to the marginalised.
In his final public address, Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza, reiterating his stance on advocating for the oppressed even in his final days. Hospitalised and frail, he continued to reach out daily to priests and parishioners at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City.
LGBTQIA+ ally in the Vatican
Perhaps more than any of his predecessors, Pope Francis was a vocal ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, famously declaring “Who am I to judge?” early in his papacy and later allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, a turning point for LGBTQ+ Catholics worldwide.
“Rest in peace. He was a much kinder and accepting pope than his predecessors,” wrote one user on X. “I hope the next pope is just as kind for the sake of the world.”
Climate Justice
Francis didn't stop at spiritual matters; he took on climate change as a moral and existential issue, calling environmental destruction a "structural sin." In 2015 and again in 2024, he wrote landmark encyclicals grounded in science and faith, urging global action. He even met with Greta Thunberg and challenged oil executives to address global warming.
Champion of the poor, the working class and charity
Francis was never shy about his roots, he proudly carried the identity of “the Pope of the Poor.” He embraced the symbol of Christ the Worker when he cheerfully received a replica of the hammer-and-sickle crucifix, crafted by slain Bolivian activist Fr. Luis Espinal. And when criticised for supporting economic justice, he famously responded during a visit to Indonesia, saying, “caring for the poor doesn’t mean being communist.”
From his first moments as pope, Francis broke convention: forgoing papal palaces, riding in a modest Ford Focus, delivering impromptu homilies, and kissing babies in the crowd. He brought a sense of accessibility and warmth to a role that had long seemed distant.
And who could forget when he blessed and auctioned off a custom Lamborghini gifted to him, raising $950,000 for charity.
