Jessica Mendoza

Francis was a pope of firsts, the first to come from the Americas.

Francis brought his personal ethos to the church itself. He criticized corruption in the Vatican Bank, which had been beset with scandal. His efforts there included improving financial transparency and preventing money laundering. And his progressive ideas were reflected in the way he approached issues that the church has historically opposed.

Francis brought his personal ethos to the church itself. He criticized corruption in the Vatican Bank, which had been beset with scandal. His efforts there included improving financial transparency and preventing money laundering. And his progressive ideas were reflected in the way he approached issues that the church has historically opposed.

Francis brought his personal ethos to the church itself. He criticized corruption in the Vatican Bank, which had been beset with scandal. His efforts there included improving financial transparency and preventing money laundering. And his progressive ideas were reflected in the way he approached issues that the church has historically opposed.

And when asked about gay priests, he famously said, you know... If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him? Who am I to judge?

And when asked about gay priests, he famously said, you know... If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him? Who am I to judge?

And when asked about gay priests, he famously said, you know... If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge him? Who am I to judge?

And as pope, Francis used his voice to influence global issues.

And as pope, Francis used his voice to influence global issues.

And as pope, Francis used his voice to influence global issues.

It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem.

It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem.

It seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem.

The Pope's willingness to speak on sensitive issues and his insistence on living a modest life made him popular around the world. But he also faced a lot of criticism during his papacy, especially from those who felt he didn't do enough to crack down on sexual abuse within the church. For example, in 2018, the Pope had defended a bishop from Chile who was accused of covering up abuses.

The Pope's willingness to speak on sensitive issues and his insistence on living a modest life made him popular around the world. But he also faced a lot of criticism during his papacy, especially from those who felt he didn't do enough to crack down on sexual abuse within the church. For example, in 2018, the Pope had defended a bishop from Chile who was accused of covering up abuses.

The Pope's willingness to speak on sensitive issues and his insistence on living a modest life made him popular around the world. But he also faced a lot of criticism during his papacy, especially from those who felt he didn't do enough to crack down on sexual abuse within the church. For example, in 2018, the Pope had defended a bishop from Chile who was accused of covering up abuses.

Francis later said he'd been misinformed.

Francis later said he'd been misinformed.

Francis later said he'd been misinformed.

So broadly speaking, how did the church feel about Francis's approach? Was it generally approved of or did it cause tensions?