Bridges of Mercy: Reflections on Pope Francis

On March 13, 2013, as I journeyed from Orlando to Houston to speak at a conference, I found myself captivated by the news flashing across the screen in front of me: white smoke had risen above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope. The announcement that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had chosen the name Francis stirred something deep within me. At that time, I was immersed in research on St. Francis of Assisi, particularly his transformative encounter with Christ in the dilapidated chapel of San Damiano. There, as Francis gazed upon the crucifix, he heard the compelling words, "Francis, restore my church." Initially, he took this as a literal call to rebuild that small chapel; but soon it became clear that his mission extended far beyond stones and mortar, it was about renewal, restoration, and spiritual awakening for the entire Church.

In that moment on the plane, tears filled my eyes. Though I am not Catholic, I felt stirred... moved by this choice and what it symbolized. I was aware of Bergoglio’s openness to the charismatic dimensions of faith and his deep desire to build bridges across divisions within the broader Christian community. To me, his selection echoed the call to unity and restoration that St. Francis himself embodied centuries earlier.

Over his tenure as pope, Francis indeed made strides toward fostering dialogue among Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox believers. He understood deeply that doctrinal differences need not become chasms of separation but rather opportunities for humility, mutual respect, and shared witness. Critics, of course, emerged both inside and outside the Catholic Church. Many in media circles labeled him problematic, too lenient, too political, too compassionate. But the talking points of pundits rarely reflect truth deeply. Sound bites seldom capture the complexities of a heart dedicated to mercy.

We grieve not only the loss of a shepherd but the quieting of a conscience that spoke truth to power.

The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a remarkable presence that extended far beyond Vatican walls. Whether Catholic or not, believer or skeptic, Francis spoke a language transcending dogma and doctrine. He reached directly into something deeper: our common humanity.

Francis carried the weight of the papacy with humility rather than grandeur. He chose simplicity over spectacle, mercy over rhetoric. In a culture seduced by noise, he embodied moral clarity without condemnation. He saw the poor not as a political position, but as beloved people close to God’s heart. He reminded us that caring for the earth wasn’t ideological, it was reverence for creation itself. Francis refused to weaponize theology or use it to win cultural battles.

True, he was sometimes misunderstood, often critiqued, frequently misrepresented. But that is the risk one takes when daring to walk close to the margins. Francis embraced the wounded over the comfortable, made enemies of the powerful by befriending the forgotten. His leadership was never about control; it was always about washing feet, even the feet of those who had wandered far from the Church.

Pope Francis was not a perfect man; no great soul ever is. Yet he was authentic, a man who lived from the core of his convictions. He saw God’s mercy as something to lavish generously, not to guard selfishly. He prayed not to be shielded from the world but to remain fully present to it. Through him, millions encountered a vision of faith unafraid to weep, listen, and walk gently.

In a fractured world, Francis was a bridge, not only between religious denominations but between all people of goodwill, transcending nations, cultures, and creeds. His was a papacy of presence: showing up where suffering persisted, ensuring that love had the final word.

Now, Pope Francis has returned to the divine mystery from which he emerged. But his voice, compassionate, firm, unswerving, will echo long after mourning subsides.

History will debate his legacy. Yet those who listened closely will remember this: Pope Francis made the Church feel profoundly human again.

And in doing so, he reminded us all what it truly means to be alive.

Sources:

Allen Jr., John L. “Pope Francis’s ‘Simple Church’: How Francis Seeks to Reform Catholicism.” Crux, 13 Mar. 2014.

Faggioli, Massimo. “Pope Francis and the Charismatic Renewal: A New Openness.” The Tablet, 14 Apr. 2018.

Vatican News. “Laudato Si’: Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Care for Our Common Home.” Vatican News, 18 Jun. 2015.

Winfield, Nicole. “Pope Francis Meets Orthodox Patriarch: A Step Toward Christian Unity.” Associated Press, 16 Jun. 2016.

Bezanson, Matt. “Pope Francis and the Preferential Option for the Poor.” National Catholic Reporter, 27 Nov. 2015.

https://www.ncronline.org/pope-plans-pentecost-celebrations-charismatics-and-pentecostals?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://apnews.com/general-news-5bf4c271f503427fb0b559333dce8335?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-charis-jubilee-pilgrimage-church-new-reconciled-humanity.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com.



Bishop Mark J. Chironna PhD

https://www.markchironna.com/

Church On The Living Edge

Mark Chironna Ministries

The Issachar Initiative

Order of St. Maxmius

United Theological Seminary, Visiting Professor, Co-director, House of Pentecostal Studies

Dr. Mark Chironna is a public scholar, executive and personal coach, and thought leader with five decades of experience in leadership development, cultural analysis, and future-focused strategies. With advanced degrees in Psychology, Applied Semiotics and Futures Studies, and Theology, he brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to helping individuals and organizations navigate complexity, unlock potential, and craft innovative solutions.

As a Board Certified Coach with over 30,000 hours of experience, he empowers leaders and teams to thrive through resilience, foresight, and actionable strategies. Passionate about human flourishing, he integrates psychological insight and cultural trends to inspire growth and transformation.

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