Over 360,000 Catholics call Nebraska home. As a cradle, conflicted and often non-practicing version of that theology, I may have been part of that number. Suffice to say being contrary and asking questions is part of my DNA, a trait journalists find helpful. Perhaps not so much for those on a spiritual journey.

Neither the current condition of my “lapseness” nor my contrarian ways matter much, however, when it’s clear that in a world awash in a rising tide of tough guys (and women) — whose dispassionate search of even greater power teems with toxicity — Pope Francis was a blessed bulwark against the further coarsening and dividing of humanity.

Most important was that he did so with grace, dignity and a sense of humor. Others may have formidable armies, the obedience of others borne of fear or the means and motives to take what they want.

Life Of Service

Pope Francis had more: A true “power,” a spirit steeped in service, compassion and gentleness, a massive dose of which the world could use.

He walked the walk of gospel — perhaps his own brand of “wokeness” — focusing his servant ministry on those living on the margins of life, those with the least power, the smallest voices and the fewest options. Among them are the poorest of the poor, refugees and migrants and vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community. He preached the imperative that we must care for and restore the earth.

He famously skipped much of the papal pomp, which many of his more conservative and traditional predecessors preferred. He was also fearless in poking some of the church’s billion-plus members in their very Catholic ribs. His modern, progressive views never sat well with a number of bishops and cardinals. Nor was he averse to standing against the aforementioned world’s most powerful.

The scandal involving priests sexually abusing children changed him. By his admission, Francis said he was wrong when, on a visit to Chile, he defended an accused bishop. He apologized to the victims he slighted, set in motion an investigation, the result of which toppled the entire Chilean church leadership. Still, even though Pope Francis convened a summit of clergy in Rome to address the scandal, many believe he didn’t go far enough.

Willing To Criticize

As a critic of the war in Gaza, Pope Francis’ death was barely acknowledged in official Israel, where the government offered condolences on social media, but later deleted them. Aside from being critical of Israel’s prosecution of the war, Francis suggested an investigation into Israel’s treatment of Palestinians as the war dragged on. The pope had spoken with a small community of Catholics in Gaza every evening since the war began.

Francis also reached out to Muslim leaders, a prickly bridge too far for some among the faithful. He challenged the church’s views on the death penalty and in 2018 officially changed Catholic teaching, calling capital punishment ​“an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” and ​“inadmissible” in all cases. He also altered the church’s stance on nuclear weapons, deeming them immoral, yet was often silent on Russia’s invasion of and war on Ukraine.

Other detractors have argued that while he promoted women in the church, he didn’t go far enough, elevating them to leadership roles at the Vatican but stopping short of calling for their admission into the priesthood.

Surely, for some, his legacy will be mixed.

Immigration was where he was most outspoken, admonishing world leaders — including the current U.S. administration — to find solutions to the massive displacement of people around the globe consistent with not only the gospel, but more broadly simple humanity.

Where some see migrants as parasites and pariahs, Francis saw them as human beings. During what would be his last message, he said, “How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! … I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!”

I read a condolence for Pope Francis in the vast, ecumenical ethos of social media, followed immediately by a wish that his successor be anything but the aforementioned “woke.” Yes, God forbid the Vatican continue to challenge injustice, minister to outcasts and value the planet.

All of which makes me miss him already.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/28/already-missing-papa-francisco/

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