“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “  Matthew 5:5

On Monday, April 21, 2025, the world lost a moral giant. Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away—leaving behind not only a global community in mourning but also a legacy deeply rooted in humility, justice, and compassion. Everyone knows that I am not catholic, but I can easily relate to men and women whose moral values align with social justice issues that I can relate to as a Black Christian. 

I find myself in awe as I reflect on his life, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to living what he preached. From the moment he chose the name Francis—in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi—it was clear that a radical departure from the norm would define his papacy. He didn’t seek to sit above the people but to walk beside them.

I remember vividly when he visited the United States and arrived at the White House in a modest Ford Fiat to meet President Obama. That moment captured his spirit: down-to-earth, intentional, and deeply connected to the poor and working class. This wasn’t a performance. This was the honest Francis—choosing simplicity over spectacle, dignity over dominance.

He broke tradition in the best way. He lived in the Vatican guesthouse instead of the luxurious papal palace. He washed the feet of prisoners, included women in Holy Week rites, and embraced those suffering on the margins. His heart was in the streets. His hands were at work. His words were for the people.

Pope Francis was a world leader unlike any other. He confronted the uncomfortable truths many others avoided. He spoke boldly about:

• Immigration, challenging countries to welcome the stranger and remember their shared humanity.
• The war in Gaza, urging ceasefires, compassion, and peaceful resolution.
• The climate crisis, calling it a moral issue and not just a political one in his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’.
• Women’s dignity, lifting up their contributions to the Church, even while navigating centuries of doctrinal resistance.
• Food insecurity and poverty, consistently advocating for systems that serve people over profits.
  

He championed the rights of the poor, not just in speeches but in how he lived. His messages resonated far beyond the Catholic Church. Whether you were a believer or not, Pope Francis spoke to the soul of humanity. He reminded us that love is action, that justice is spiritual, and that humility is strength.

He had the rare ability to speak truth to power while still offering grace. To challenge the powerful while comforting the broken. To be global and yet deeply personal. In many ways, he was the moral compass of our time.

As the world says goodbye to Pope Francis, we are also challenged to carry forward the flame he kept burning: the flame of faith that fights for justice, the flame of love that looks beyond status, and the flame of hope that dares to see a better world.

He didn’t just lead the Church. He inspired a generation. To my fellow Black Evangelical believers, can this be what the world and particularly generations beta, alpha, and z are expecting to see in us? I’m just saying…. What say you?

May his example live on in all of us.