Scott Detrow

That's Pope Francis speaking last Easter from the St. Peter's balcony overlooking Vatican Square. He was delivering an Urbi et Orbi, his Easter blessing. The moment and the setting encapsulates the thousands of years of ritual and pageantry associated with the Catholic Church. The balcony of the ornate St.

Peter's Basilica is the same spot where some 12 years ago, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was introduced to the world as Pope Francis I.

Peter's Basilica is the same spot where some 12 years ago, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was introduced to the world as Pope Francis I.

Peter's Basilica is the same spot where some 12 years ago, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was introduced to the world as Pope Francis I.

But that setting also regularly showcases another aspect of the role Francis and his predecessors have played, world leader.

But that setting also regularly showcases another aspect of the role Francis and his predecessors have played, world leader.

But that setting also regularly showcases another aspect of the role Francis and his predecessors have played, world leader.

That's another moment from Francis' March 2024 Easter blessing, as war raged between Ukraine and Russia, Hamas and Israel.

That's another moment from Francis' March 2024 Easter blessing, as war raged between Ukraine and Russia, Hamas and Israel.

That's another moment from Francis' March 2024 Easter blessing, as war raged between Ukraine and Russia, Hamas and Israel.

Francis hasn't just focused on war, though. He has repeatedly tried to point the world's attention to two ongoing challenges.

Francis hasn't just focused on war, though. He has repeatedly tried to point the world's attention to two ongoing challenges.

Francis hasn't just focused on war, though. He has repeatedly tried to point the world's attention to two ongoing challenges.

and climate change.

and climate change.

and climate change.

And those statements echoed those of his predecessors on other issues. Pope John Paul II, a son of Poland, worked to bring an end to communism.

And those statements echoed those of his predecessors on other issues. Pope John Paul II, a son of Poland, worked to bring an end to communism.

And those statements echoed those of his predecessors on other issues. Pope John Paul II, a son of Poland, worked to bring an end to communism.

And his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, regularly worked to reduce global inequality. Human rights are more often presented as a common language and the ethic underpinning of international relations. Consider this. Much of the world has spent the past two weeks focused on Pope Francis' failing health.