Pope Francis' message of love, peace, kindness will long outlive the People's Pope

By Brendan McDaid

Published 22nd Apr 2025, 11:06 BST

Updated 22nd Apr 2025, 11:10 BST

When Pope Francis is laid to rest on Saturday in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major it will be a ceremony and a burial stripped of many of the lavish embellishments that would usually accompany a pontiff’s funeral. And how fitting for a man who concerned himself not with riches and rituals but with the reaching out and raising up the abandoned, the poor, the forgotten.

‘The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus’, Pope Francis stipulated back in 2022 as he laid out his plans for his final journey.

In 12 short years he did a lot. He reached out beyond the world’s 1.2billion Catholics to those of all creeds and none who were destitute, living through or fleeing the horrors of war, poverty and persecution. He reached beyond the comfort zones of many traditional church leaders. And he did not shy away from the clerical abuse scandals that have devastated the lives of so many.

Nor did not miss when he called out those world leaders who fuel conflict and think little to nothing of killing other people, as he promoted peace and acceptance around the world.

TOPSHOT - Pope Francis greets migrants and refugees at the Moria refugee camp on April 16, 2016 near the port of Mytilene, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Pope Francis received an emotional welcome today on the Greek island of Lesbos during a visit aimed at showing solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty. Pope Francis, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Jerome visit Lesbos today to turn the spotlight on Europe's controversial deal with Turkey to end an unprecedented refugee crisis. AFP PHOTO POOL / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Pope Francis greets migrants and refugees at the Moria refugee camp on April 16, 2016 near the port of Mytilene, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Pope Francis received an emotional welcome today on the Greek island of Lesbos during a visit aimed at showing solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty. Pope Francis, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Jerome visit Lesbos today to turn the spotlight on Europe's controversial deal with Turkey to end an unprecedented refugee crisis. AFP PHOTO POOL / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

That message of peace, humanity, kindness, a message he worked so hard to instill and grow in the hearts of others during his time at the helm of the Catholic Church, a message he defended with fearless resolve, will long outlive this humble man.

His successor in this powerful global role will help shape the future of not just Catholicism but the world.

Pope Francis broke the mould and it is to be hoped his successor will be cut from the same cloth as the man who will forever be remembered as the People’s Pope.

Pope Francis Pope

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