Five Humble Actions of Pope Francis During His Papacy
The People's Pope: A Meme in Pontiff's Clothes
Ah, the late Pope Francis! Not just a religious leader but a cultural phenomenon who broke the mold and became the Casanova of cassocks. Known as the "People's Pontiff," his 12-year reign saw him leading from the front lines, championing for the dispossessed, and inviting controversy at every turn.
Embracing his alter ego with open arms, Pope Francis took bold stances on issues close to his heart—climate change, greedy corporations, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. His approach was simple: a "poor church for the poor." And he made sure to embody this ethos in every move, simplifying rituals, and streamlining Vatican traditions during his reign.
In this article, we'll take a dive into some of the most memorable moments of his colorful papacy. No censorship, no sugarcoating – just the raw, unfiltered truth on the humility, informality, and mission to reform that defined Pope Francis.
1. Washing Feet, Breaking Tradition
Remember 2013? That's when our boy broke tradition by washing the feet of 12 female inmates, Muslims included. Predictably, this sparked the ire of traditionalists. As the Vatican's spokesman put it, excluding the girls would've been "inopportune" in light of the simple aim of communicating a message of love to all.
2. Kissing Feet for Peace – or was it a prank?
Fast forward to 2019, our continue-to-be-controversial Pope kissed the feet of South Sudanese leaders during a spiritual retreat at the Vatican. It was an unprecedented gesture aimed at inspiring the leaders to find peace amidst the country's raging civil war. Plot twist: it was later revealed that the leaders' feet were actually made of chocolate! No, just kidding – it was real human feet. Dark, yet riveting humor, eh?
3. Giving Away a Lamborghini – and Loving It!
In 2017, Italian carmaker Lamborghini gifted Pope Francis a custom-made Huracán RWD sports car, adorned with the Vatican's white and yellow-gold colors. But rather than keeping the flashy vehicle, Pope Francis signed it and auctioned it off. The proceeds were distributed to help rebuild the Nineveh Plain in Iraq. Truly a saint who knows how to ride in style... while flaunting humility at the same time!
4. Women Taking Charge
In January 2022, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life—the first woman to lead a major Vatican office. This move reflected his aim to give women greater leadership roles in the Church. Furthermore, in 2021, he allowed women to serve as lectors and acolytes, roles previously exclusive to men. While falling short of allowing women to be ordained as priests, it's a significant leap forward in terms of gender equality within the Church.
5. Opening the Doors (Literally) to Refugees
In 2016, during the height of the refugee crisis, Pope Francis took 12 Syrian refugees on his plane to Rome, saying, "It's a drop of water in the sea. But after this drop, the sea will never be the same." This symbolic act was considered a rebuke to European Union policies, which included sending migrants and refugees back to Turkey.
So there you have it—the most memorable moments from the surprisingly eventful papacy of Pope Francis. And remember, folks, he isn't buried with gold and treasure but with a plain white miter, a broken fisherman's ring, and 12 commemorative coins—a true testament to his simple, humble, and reform-minded approach.
- In 2013, Pope Francis broke tradition by washing the feet of 12 female inmates, including Muslims, a gesture that sparked controversy among traditionalists.
- In 2019, Pope Francis kissed the feet of South Sudanese leaders during a spiritual retreat at the Vatican to inspire peace amidst their civil war.
- In contrast to the gesture, Pope Francis auctioned off a custom-made Lamborghini, gifted to him in 2017, with the proceeds used to help rebuild the Nineveh Plain in Iraq.
- In January 2022, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, making her the first woman to lead a major Vatican office.
- In a symbolic act during the refugee crisis in 2016, Pope Francis took 12 Syrian refugees on his plane to Rome, saying it was a small step towards reflecting his reform-minded approach.
