Pope Francis has passed away, and the world mourns the loss of an extraordinary spiritual leader. Many accolades are being written about his life. In my tribute, I’ll focus on his contributions to Christian spirituality and the common good.[1]
Pope Francis’s leadership significantly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality and the church’s witness to Jesus Christ. His spiritual leadership had three hallmark traits: “a deep gospel-rooted spirituality, a fervent social and ecological commitment, and a dialogical approach to seeking peace through interfaith outreach.”[2] Guided by his Jesuit (Ignatian) ethos of discernment and compassion, he emphasized living the faith in a way that “touched the heart” of the church and the world. Here are some ways Pope Francis (1936–2025) enriched Christian life and global witness to Jesus Christ:
1. Mercy and Compassion at the Heart of the Gospel
Mercy as God’s Identity
Pope Francis centered his spirituality on mercy, repeatedly affirming that mercy is the “beating heart of the gospel.” He inaugurated an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (2015–2016) to renew the church’s focus on God’s tender forgiveness.[3] During this year, he taught us that we must constantly contemplate God’s mercy, which he called a source of joy and peace, and that we must be the “bridge” connecting God and humanity.[4]
The “Pope of Mercy”
He earned a reputation as the “pope of mercy” by making compassion a pastoral priority. Francis insisted that no one is beyond God’s mercy—echoing Jesus’s ministry to sinners and outcasts—and that the church must be a “field hospital” for wounded souls. He urged clergy and laity alike to practice empathy and patience in confession and counseling and avoid harsh judgment, thus making God’s unconditional love tangible in daily Christian life.[5]
Pastoral Initiatives of Mercy
Under his guidance, initiatives like “24 Hours for the Lord” (extended reconciliation services) and acts of personal humility (for example, Francis himself hearing confessions or phoning individuals in distress) illustrated a hands-on commitment to mercy. He taught that every parish and community should be an oasis of mercy, where the suffering, the estranged, and even the skeptical felt welcomed and forgiven. According to Francis, this merciful stance revived the credibility of the church’s witness to Christ’s forgiving love in the modern world.[6]
2. A Church for the Poor: Solidarity with the Marginalized
“Poor Church for the Poor”
From the outset, Pope Francis called for a church that embodied humility and simplicity, famously expressing his desire for “a poor church that is for the poor.”[7] He made the preferential option for the poor a cornerstone of his papacy, meaning the church must prioritize and stand with the economically and socially marginalized. His theological and pastoral vision deliberately centered on the voices and cultures of the poor, an approach shaped by his Latin American background and the legacy of liberation theology.[8] By living modestly and directing the church’s attention to slums, refugees, and the homeless, Francis modeled this Gospel preference.
Integration of Faith and Justice
Pope Francis believed authentic Christian spirituality “must form a unity with living and thinking alongside the poor.” He employed the see–judge–act method: confronting the faithful with the harsh realities of poverty and exclusion, reflecting on them in light of the gospel, and finally inspiring action.[9] For example, he often visited prisons, shantytowns, and refugee camps in his travels—not as photo opportunities but as encounters that informed the church’s mission. This approach rooted theology in lived experience, helping believers see Christ in the suffering face of the poor and respond with concrete solidarity.
Championing the Vulnerable
In global forums and daily homilies, Francis consistently spoke up for those on the peripheries—migrants and refugees, indigenous peoples, victims of human trafficking, and the unemployed. He said that how we treat the weakest among us is the true measure of society’s moral integrity. He reinvigorated Catholic social teaching on economic justice and human rights by bringing the peripheries to the center of the church’s consciousness.[10]This solidarity with the marginalized continued Jesus’s mission to “bring good news to the poor” and was a powerful witness to a world marred by inequality.
3. Care for Creation as a Spiritual Mandate (Ecological Spirituality)
“Integral Ecology” – Linking Faith, Justice, and the Earth
Pope Francis elevated care for creation to a core component of Christian spirituality. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ on the environment argued that concern for the planet is inseparable from concern for people experiencing poverty, calling for an “integral ecology” that hears “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”[11] He taught that protecting God’s creation is a moral and spiritual duty, not an optional add-on. This message, coming just before the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, positioned the church as an essential voice in global environmental discussions.[12] It inspired countless initiatives worldwide, from parish recycling programs to Catholic institutions divesting from fossil fuels, as believers began to see ecological action as an expression of their faith.[13]
Ecological Conversion and Simplicity
Francis called for individuals and societies to undergo an “ecological conversion,” changing lifestyles of waste and consumerism into habits of simplicity, respect, and wonder at the natural world. He often invoked St. Francis of Assisi’s spirit – seeing nature as a sister and gift from God – to encourage gratitude and responsibility toward the environment. He integrated creation care into everyday spirituality by linking ecological mindfulness with traditional practices (like thanking God for meals and resources or observing the Season of Creation in the church year). This emphasis helped Christians worldwide recognize that caring for our common home is part of loving one’s neighbor and honoring the Creator.
Global and Intergenerational Justice
A distinctive aspect of Pope Francis’s creation care teaching was its future-oriented, global perspective. He highlighted how environmental degradation and climate change hit the poor the hardest and threatened future generations’ lives. Thus, he framed climate action and conservation as acts of justice for both the vulnerable communities of today and the children of tomorrow.[14] His passionate pleas at venues like the UN and gatherings with scientists and faith leaders galvanized a rare alliance of religious and secular voices. In doing so, Francis expanded the Christian witness to include stewardship of the earth, showing that love for Jesus Christ compels care for “the least of these” in all forms – including the planet we all share.
4. Dialogue with Other Faiths and Christian Unity (Interfaith Outreach)
Building Bridges with Other Religions
Pope Francis prioritized interreligious dialogue, believing it was essential for peace and a credible Christian witness in a pluralistic world. He engaged in landmark encounters with leaders of various faiths—most notably with Muslim authorities. In 2019, he and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity, a historic pledge of friendship and mutual understanding between Catholics and Muslims.[15] He was the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula (UAE in 2019) and later visited Iraq in 2021, reaching out to Sunni and Shia communities. These actions put into practice his belief that “authentic faith leads to dialogue, not conflict,” demonstrating respect for religious differences while affirming common values of peace, compassion, and human dignity.
Interfaith Solidarity for Peace
Francis’s dialogical style extended beyond formal statements to powerful gestures of solidarity. For example, he joined interfaith prayers for peace (such as in war-torn areas and during the pandemic) to show that people of all religions could stand together against violence and hatred. He launched a series of monthly Prayer for Peace videos that included leaders from Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and other faiths, highlighting a shared commitment to love one’s neighbor.[16] By consistently condemning religious extremism and urging that God’s name never be used to justify violence, he offered a model of how Christian spirituality could embrace others without compromising its convictions. This outreach improved the Catholic Church’s relationships with the Islamic world, Judaism, and Eastern religions, reinforcing a global witness to Christ’s message of universal brotherhood.
Ecumenism and Christian Unity
Alongside interfaith efforts, Pope Francis vigorously pursued Christian unity. He participated in ecumenical services and formed warm relations with Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant leaders. Notably, in 2016, he commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation alongside Lutheran church leaders in Lund, Sweden, asking forgiveness for divisions and celebrating the progress toward mutual understanding.[17] He collaborated with the Orthodox (for example, inviting an Orthodox patriarch to co-launch Laudato Si’) and engaged Pentecostal and Evangelical communities with an attitude of friendship. Francis saw unity among Christians as critical for an effective witness—”that they may all be one,” as Jesus prayed—and emphasized a shared mission to serve the poor and promote justice as common ground. His ecumenical gestures, big and small, furthered the healing of centuries-old rifts and presented a more united Christian front dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus.
5. Pastoral Outreach: A Church that “Goes Forth”
Reaching the Peripheries
Francis’s papacy had the church’s call to “go out” to the existential and geographical peripheries as a signature theme. He envisioned a missionary church that was not locked in self-interest but actively seeking those on the margins of society.[18] This included the poor and homeless, the imprisoned, the elderly and infirm, those struggling with faith, and groups who had felt excluded or wounded by religion. Pope Francis challenged clergy to leave the comfort of their pulpits and accompany people in real, messy situations. “The Gospel of the marginalized is where our credibility is found,” he once said, underscoring that the church’s witness was most convincing when it was present in the “dark corners” of society, bringing light.[19]
Humble, Person-centered Ministry
Francis exemplified a hands-on, personal pastoral style. He often forwent formalities to engage individuals directly—embracing people with disabilities, washing the feet of prisoners (including women and non-Christians), and making phone calls to those who wrote him with hardships. Such actions dramatized his message that pastors should “smell of the sheep,” sharing in the life of their flock. He reformed the church’s approach to contentious issues by emphasizing accompaniment over condemnation—urging pastors to walk patiently with those who struggled, such as divorced couples or LGBT persons, helping them to experience God’s grace rather than feel shut out. This inclusive approach did not change doctrinal ideals but shifted the tone toward mercy and personalization. It reflected his conviction that meeting people with openness and kindness was the first step to evangelization.
Ecclesial Reform and Synodality
Pope Francis’s pastoral outreach was also evident in how he governed the church. He initiated a global Synod on Synodality (2021–2024)—an unprecedented process of listening to ordinary Catholics worldwide.[20] This “walking together” approach aimed to make the church more participatory and attentive to the real needs of the People of God. By inviting feedback from young people, women, local cultures, and those often unheard of in Church decision-making, Francis pushed the church to become more pastoral in its very structures.[21] The synodal process, though ongoing beyond his death, already embodied his belief that the Holy Spirit speaks through all the faithful, not just the hierarchy. In sum, his outreach was external—toward society’s fringes—and internal, reforming Church practice to be more compassionate, collegial, and responsive. This pastoral conversion helped ensure the church truly “went forth” as a servant to humanity, reflecting Christ the Good Shepherd in every aspect of its witness.
6. Enriching Society and Culture Through Christian Spirituality
Social Justice and Economic Ethics
Francis was an outspoken advocate for social and economic justice on the world stage. He denounced an “economy of exclusion” that marginalized the many for the prosperity of the few, famously warning that “this economy kills” when profit ruled without regard for people.[22] From his first exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (2013), he issued prophetic critiques: “No to an economy of inequality and idolatry of money.”[23] He urged a conversion of economic structures that produced gross inequality and exploitation, pushing for an ethic of solidarity in business and global finance. By bringing Gospel values to debates on poverty, labor, and development, he reinvigorated the church’s social teaching for today’s issues. This encouraged Catholics and others to work for systems that responsibly served the common good, protected the poor, and wisely stewarded resources.[24] His influence was seen in movements for fair wages, ethical investing, and policies caring for the most vulnerable—showing how Christian morality could challenge and inspire modern economics.
Human Dignity and Solidarity
At the heart of Francis’s social vision was the inviolable dignity of every human person. He insisted that everyone was a child of God, deserving of respect and opportunity, regardless of race, religion, or background.[25] This emphasis was evident in his campaigning for the abolition of the death penalty and nuclear weapons, his defense of unborn children and the elderly, and his advocacy for migrants and refugees fleeing violence. In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (2020), he called for a universal fraternity where human rights were upheld out of love, not mere legal obligation.[26] Pope Francis underscored that recognizing others’ God-given dignity led to social friendship and solidarity—the determination to seek the good of others. He taught that a society inspired by Christian spirituality would reject “throwaway” attitudes that discarded the vulnerable. Instead, he welcomed the stranger, fed the hungry, and cared for the sick, seeing in them the face of Christ. By promoting this culture of encounter and solidarity, he showed how spirituality could bind communities together and heal social divisions.
Community and Fraternity
In an age of individualism and isolation, Francis advocated for community, dialogue, and fraternity as fundamental Christian contributions to society. He often spoke of creating a “culture of encounter”—actively reaching out to know and love one’s neighbors and building bridges across differences.[27] He challenged the modern tendencies toward consumerism and selfishness, saying true happiness was found in relationships and service, not materialism. In places like the secular West, where religion was sometimes confined to the private sphere, Francis’s approach reclaimed a communal dimension of faith: he emphasized that faith was lived in community and improved society when people engaged locally—in parishes, charities, and civic organizations—out of Gospel-inspired care for one another. His stress on fraternity (even choosing Fratelli Tutti— “Brothers [and Sisters] All”—as an encyclical title) was a call to repair the fabric of society by treating one another as one family under God. This had practical implications, like encouraging intercultural friendships, intergenerational support, and more compassionate political discourse. By modeling warmth, informality, and inclusive love, Francis gave many a renewed imagination for community life that transcended tribe or party, reflecting the united community of believers in the Book of Acts.
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Pope Francis became a moral leader in global peace efforts, showing how Christian principles could defuse conflict and promote reconciliation. He pleaded for peace in war zones like Syria, Ukraine, and Africa, often serving as a mediator. In a dramatic 2019 gesture, he knelt and kissed the feet of South Sudan’s rival leaders, begging them to uphold their fragile peace agreement.[28] Such prophetic actions illustrated his conviction that peacemaking was a Gospel mandate. He emphasized forgiveness, dialogue, and addressing injustices as the path to lasting peace—echoing Jesus’s Beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Under Francis’s guidance, the Vatican convened peace summits and facilitated talks (for instance, helping to broker improved relations between the U.S. and Cuba in 2014). He also encouraged everyday Christians to practice peacebuilding in their contexts, within families, communities, and on social media, by resisting hatred and sowing respect. By bridging divides and modeling reconciliation, Francis enhanced the church’s witness as an agent of peace. His example led other Christian leaders and laypeople to take bolder steps in conflict resolution—from local gang truces to interfaith peace projects—showing the world that the Christian spiritual commitment to peace could transform even the most entrenched disputes.
Moral Imagination and Cultural Engagement
Pope Francis believed Christianity should enrich public life—policies, social structures, and culture’s creative and moral imagination. He often spoke of the power of beauty, art, and storytelling in evangelization and moral development. Francis called artists “preachers of beauty” who could inspire faith and hope through works that uplifted the human spirit.[29] He even hosted artists in the Vatican to encourage them to create works that healed a broken culture and revealed God’s love. Likewise, he encouraged reading literature and poetry, which fostered “imaginative empathy” for others’ experiences and helped build compassion and solidarity.[30] In a 2021 letter, he suggested that society could not sustain mercy and unity without the empathy cultivated by art and literature. This focus on the arts and imagination was part of his broader engagement with culture: rather than lament secularization, he often found seeds of the gospel in contemporary culture and chose to dialogue with it. He engaged filmmakers, scientists, and writers, showing an openness to truth and goodness in all fields. By doing so, Francis modeled how Christian spirituality could enrich the cultural narrative—promoting what is true, good, and beautiful in society. His approach invited people of faith to contribute to the “moral imagination” of their communities, envisioning a more just and compassionate world and working creatively to make it a reality.
A Global Legacy of Spiritual Witness
Pope Francis’s contribution to Christian spirituality and the global church’s witness to Christ was deep and broad. He infused ancient Christian themes—mercy, humility, justice, peace—with fresh energy, making them intelligible and compelling for the 21st century. By marrying spiritual devotion with action for the common good, he reminded Christians that prayer and social engagement must go hand in hand.
His global perspective (as the first Latin American pope) helped shift the church’s center of gravity toward the developing world’s concerns, making the gospel resonate on the streets of Manila, the villages of Africa, and the halls of European academia.
In emphasizing mercy over legalism, solidarity over self-interest, and dialogue over division, Pope Francis strengthened the church’s witness to Jesus’s way of love in a visibly credible manner. The detailed outline of his major themes—from mercy and poverty to ecology, dialogue, and cultural renewal—showcased how he enriched the church and the wider human family, inspiring many to live out an authentically Christian spirituality that truly “leavens” society.[31]
Such was the legacy of Pope Francis: a renewed vision of a Church that was poor and merciful, spirit-filled and open, illuminating the world with the joy and hope of the gospel.
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Luciani, Rafael, and Felix Palazzi. “Pope Francis’ Option for the Poor Means Living and Thinking with the People.” Boston College School of Theology and Ministry – Formación Online, September 29, 2023. https://formaciononline.bc.edu/en/2023/09/29/pope-francis-option-for-the-poor-means-living-and-thinking-with-the-people/.
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Image Credit (public domain): https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse45/49456799256/
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Notes
[1] I’m drawing heavily on the following articles for this tribute to Pope Francis: “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/; “Mercy: The Beating Heart of the Gospel – Missionary Commentary for Sunday, March 30,” U.S. Catholic Mission Association, accessed April 21, 2025, https://uscatholicmission.org/news/mercy-the-beating-heart-of-the-gospel-missionary-commentary-for-sunday-march-30; “Pope Francis’ Option for the Poor Means Living and Thinking with the People,” Boston College School of Theology and Ministry – Formación Online, September 29, 2023, https://formaciononline.bc.edu/en/2023/09/29/pope-francis-option-for-the-poor-means-living-and-thinking-with-the-people/; “Embracing the Peripheries,” The Deacon, June 15, 2024, https://www.the-deacon.com/2024/06/15/embracing-the-peripheries/; “The Impact of Pope Francis’ Moral Vision on American Catholics,” Forward Pathway, accessed April 21, 2025, https://www.forwardpathway.us/the-impact-of-pope-francis-moral-vision-on-american-catholics; Philip Pullella, “Pope Kisses Feet of South Sudan Leaders, Urging Them to Keep the Peace,” Reuters, April 11, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/world/pope-kisses-feet-of-south-sudan-leaders-urging-them-to-keep-the-peace-idUSKCN1RN27G/; “Pope Francis and Preaching Beauty,” The Clapham Group, accessed April 21, 2025, https://www.claphamgroup.com/journal/pope-francis-and-preaching-beauty/; and “Pope Francis’ Social Imagination,” Catholic Social Thought, accessed April 21, 2025, https://catholicsocialthought.org.uk/pope-francis-social-imagination/.
[2] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[3] Francis. Misericordiae Vultus: Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Vatican City, 2015.
[4] “Mercy: The Beating Heart of the Gospel – Missionary Commentary for Sunday, March 30,” U.S. Catholic Mission Association, accessed April 21, 2025, https://uscatholicmission.org/news/mercy-the-beating-heart-of-the-gospel-missionary-commentary-for-sunday-march-30.
[5] Francis. Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013; “Mercy: The Beating Heart of the Gospel – Missionary Commentary for Sunday, March 30,” U.S. Catholic Mission Association, accessed April 21, 2025, https://uscatholicmission.org/news/mercy-the-beating-heart-of-the-gospel-missionary-commentary-for-sunday-march-30.
[6] “Mercy: The Beating Heart of the Gospel – Missionary Commentary for Sunday, March 30,” U.S. Catholic Mission Association, accessed April 21, 2025, https://uscatholicmission.org/news/mercy-the-beating-heart-of-the-gospel-missionary-commentary-for-sunday-march-30.
[7] Gutiérrez, Gustavo. A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, and Salvation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1988.
[8] “Pope Francis’ Option for the Poor Means Living and Thinking with the People,” Boston College School of Theology and Ministry – Formación Online, September 29, 2023, https://formaciononline.bc.edu/en/2023/09/29/pope-francis-option-for-the-poor-means-living-and-thinking-with-the-people/.
[9] Francis. Evangelii Gaudium, sec. 198–201; “Pope Francis’ Option for the Poor Means Living and Thinking with the People,” Boston College School of Theology and Ministry – Formación Online, September 29, 2023, https://formaciononline.bc.edu/en/2023/09/29/pope-francis-option-for-the-poor-means-living-and-thinking-with-the-people/.
[10] “Pope Francis’ Option for the Poor Means Living and Thinking with the People,” Boston College School of Theology and Ministry – Formación Online, September 29, 2023, https://formaciononline.bc.edu/en/2023/09/29/pope-francis-option-for-the-poor-means-living-and-thinking-with-the-people/.
[11] Francis. Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2015.
[12] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[13] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[14] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[15] Francis and Al-Tayyeb, Ahmad. Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, Abu Dhabi, 2019; “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[16] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[17] “Common Prayer: From Conflict to Communion.” Lutheran World Federation and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, 2016; “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[18] “Embracing the Peripheries,” The Deacon, June 15, 2024, https://www.the-deacon.com/2024/06/15/embracing-the-peripheries/.
[19] “Embracing the Peripheries,” The Deacon, June 15, 2024, https://www.the-deacon.com/2024/06/15/embracing-the-peripheries/.
[20] Vatican News. “Synod on Synodality: A New Journey of Listening.” 2021.
[21] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[22] Francis. Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013; “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[23] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[24] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[25] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[26] Francis. Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2020; “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.
[27] “The Impact of Pope Francis’ Moral Vision on American Catholics,” Forward Pathway, accessed April 21, 2025, https://www.forwardpathway.us/the-impact-of-pope-francis-moral-vision-on-american-catholics.
[28] Philip Pullella, “Pope Kisses Feet of South Sudan Leaders, Urging Them to Keep the Peace,” Reuters, April 11, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/world/pope-kisses-feet-of-south-sudan-leaders-urging-them-to-keep-the-peace-idUSKCN1RN27G/.
[29] “Pope Francis and Preaching Beauty,” The Clapham Group, accessed April 21, 2025, https://www.claphamgroup.com/journal/pope-francis-and-preaching-beauty.
[30] “Pope Francis’ Social Imagination,” Catholic Social Thought, accessed April 21, 2025, https://catholicsocialthought.org.uk/pope-francis-social-imagination/.
[31] “A Big Heart Open to God,” Talk About: Law and Religion, March 21, 2025, https://talkabout.iclrs.org/2025/03/21/a-big-heart-open-to-god/.