Three years ago, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the papacy of Pope Francis, I wrote a history Describing the humble Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the first pope to be “a little Californian”.
Yes, he came from Argentina, not from the United States, and no, he has never visited the “best coast” during his 13 years at the head of the Church, but by prioritizing the environment, defending the poor and taking a more welcoming tone with LGBTQ Catholics, he has shown a commitment to compassionate and open values that many Californians share.
He also appointed more women to leadership roles to the Vatican than any pope before him, although he has stopped defending the priests.
In the wake of his death, and the collective mourning that he is inspired, I contacted Catholic leaders through southern California, asking them to share how they summarize his papacy – his impact, her inheritance and his persistent inspiration.
A single theme came loud and clear: Francis was a pope who prioritized those who are on the fringes and encouraged all Catholics to do the same.
When Pope Francis began his papacy, Whoopi Goldberg expressed his admiration: “He goes with the original program.” Indeed. Francis took seriously what Jesus took seriously: inclusion. Non-violence. Unconditional, kind and compassionate acceptance. He knew that the only way to erase the margins was to distinguish them. He stood with those whose dignity had been refused and those whose charges were more than they could bear. He stood with the demonized so that demonization stops and with the disposables, so that the day comes when we stop throwing people. One of his last acts as a pope was to visit a prison and stand with the easily despised and easily left out. All his life invited us to “the original program”.
– Father Gregory Boyle, SJ, Founder, Homeboy Industries
Francis – Pastor, Pope, Prophet and friend who “felt like his sheep” – has learned for example that working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human work is not a simple philanthropy. It is a moral obligation. For Christians, he said, responsibility is even greater: it is a command. Pope Francis entrusts us all this task. Become a “poets of social change” by meeting the suffering and dreams (of) our neighbors, the learning of recognizing the sacred and the goodness of each person and the mother earth, and practicing a type of revolutionary love thanks to the community organization which does not make any more possible for each person to live with dignity and hope – “a kind of hope that does not disappoint”.
– Joseph Tomás McKellar, Executive director, Pico California
One of the best aspects of Francis’ inheritance was his link with young people. It was open and understanding and spoke of problems that many young people care: the LGBTQ community, the health of the planet, equity and social justice. In many ways, he made Catholicism again cool – it was the Pope who landed on the cover of Rolling Stone.
– Joe Ferullo, CEO and publisher, national Catholic journalist
Pope Francis deeply reflected the love of Jesus Christ, especially among our most vulnerable in society. His care and humility for all people and creation attracted people from all cultures and all confessions. He moved to this world in an ecumenical way which was going beyond his beloved church. He was really an extraordinary leader and a model for the world which embodied a deep faith and a commitment to adopt the dignity of the human person.
– Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne,, Director of care of the whole person, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
While I think about the life and heritage of our beloved Saint-Foura, my heart is deeply moved by the deep love and compassion he has shown for his people. He was, in all directions, a real shepherd – the one who bore the smell of his herd, walking closely with them through their struggles, their sorrows and their joys. He reminded us, as priests and bishops, that our vocation is not by far but of the life of those we serve.
– Father Angelos Sebastian, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, diocese of Orange
As a Catholic university founded by the sisters of Saint-Joseph de Carondelet, we are very grateful to the leadership of our Pope and his unshakable commitment to social justice and care for our common house. Like Pope Francis modeled, our tradition CSJ (Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph) teaches us to walk with humility, to act with courage and to build unity by love. By honoring his inheritance, we can continue to educate and empower leaders who will strengthen a fairer and more compassionate world.
– Ann McElaney-Johnson, President, Mount St. Mary’s University
He was a great pope, a very large pope of my time, in particular the way he held out to the outskirts, who reaffirmed the ministry I had to reach outside the church. From the start, his words clearly indicated that this pontificate was more than the church, that it would have a larger and larger scope. He really made it happen during his 13 years as a pope.
– Father Michael Gutierrez, Pastor, Catholic church of Saint-Louis de France, La Puente
Pope Francis modeled a papacy based on inclusiveness, compassion and dialogue – values at the heart of the LMU mission. I found a particular inspiration in the synod on synodality, its daring invitation for the world church to adopt a deeper listening, a shared discernment and a collective journey. His heritage, in particular with our link with him as the first Jesuit pope, allows us to live as servants, by building communities rooted in empathy and justice.
– Thomas Poon, President elected, Loyola Marymount University
Pope Francis was a real prophetic voice in a world where human dignity has been challenged and attacked. He called each of us (to) go to the outskirts, so that we can act as Mercy agents to the poor and the marginalized. We are blessed here in Los Angeles to have the Archbishop Gomez as a spiritual leader who took this call from Pope Francis, forming our office of life, justice and peace so that we can honor all human life: the child, the immigrant, our brothers and sisters suffering from homeless, of our elderly and sick and dying. It was Pope Francis’ mission, and we will proudly continue to live this radical spirit of support which honors the sacred character of our neighbor.
– Michael P. Donaldson, Senior Director, Living Office, Justice and Peace, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
I suspect that Pope Francis has never been so concerned about the reform of the Church that he simply tried to reveal something of the fullness and power of the most fundamental teachings of the Church – that God is love, that we learn to know God more fully in our own more completely love, and that our highest thief and our greatest joy could simply live as if it was.
– Father Brendan P. Busse, SJ, pastor, Church Dolores Mission
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