On the evening of March 13, 2013, the air in Vatican City was thick with anticipation. A gentle rain fell over St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of faithful souls huddled beneath umbrellas, their eyes fixed on the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. The world held its breath. For two days, the conclave of cardinals had deliberated behind closed doors, their prayers mingling with the smoke that rose from the burning ballots. Then, at 7:06 p.m., a plume of white smoke unfurled against the twilight sky. Habemus Papam—We have a Pope.
The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out, their joyous peals echoing through Rome. On the balcony, a figure emerged—not the grand, imposing presence some had expected, but a humble man with a warm smile and eyes that carried both wisdom and weariness. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, now Pope Francis, stepped forward. “Fratelli e sorelle, buona sera,” he began—Brothers and sisters, good evening. His simple greeting broke the tension, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd. Before imparting his blessing, he bowed his head and asked the people to pray for him. In that moment, the world glimpsed the heart of a shepherd who would lead not with pomp, but with humility.
The story of his election was one of quiet surprise. Bergoglio, a Jesuit known for his simplicity—riding buses instead of chauffeured cars, cooking his own meals in Buenos Aires—had not been the frontrunner. Yet, within the conclave, his name began to ripple through the discussions. Cardinals spoke of his pastoral spirit, his unwavering care for the poor, and his ability to bridge divides in a fractured Church. When the votes were tallied, exceeding the required two-thirds, he accepted the call with a heavy heart, choosing the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, the saint of poverty and peace. It was said that as he donned the white cassock, he waved away the ornate mozzetta and gold pectoral cross – A new era had begun.
Over the past twelve years, Pope Francis’ papacy has been a radiant tapestry woven with threads of mercy, courage, and reform. From the outset, he set a tone of inclusion, washing the feet of prisoners—men and women, Christian and Muslim alike—during his first Holy Thursday Mass. His encyclicals, Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, have called humanity to care for our common home and embrace universal brotherhood, resonating far beyond Catholic circles. He has opened the Church’s doors to the marginalized, advocating for migrants, the poor, and the forgotten, often at the cost of criticism from those who preferred tradition over transformation.
His papacy has not been without storms. He has faced resistance from within the Vatican, where some bristled at his efforts to curb opulence and decentralize power. Yet, Francis has pressed on, his humor and resilience shining through. Once, when asked how he maintained peace amid turmoil, he quipped, “I’m a sinner like everyone else—I just keep going, with a bit of tango in my step.” His Argentine roots, steeped in the rhythms of life and faith, have infused his leadership with a rare authenticity.
As we stand on March 13, 2025, marking twelve years of his papacy, the world looks ahead with hope and wonder. Pope Francis, now 88, moves more slowly, his voice softer, but his spirit remains unbowed. What lies ahead? Perhaps a continued push for synodality, inviting laypeople and clergy alike to shape the Church’s future. Perhaps a final journey—some whisper of a visit to his beloved Argentina, where he might kneel once more in the slums of Buenos Aires, praying with those he has never forgotten. Or perhaps a gentle stepping back, entrusting the Church to the next shepherd as he retreats to a life of quiet prayer.
Whatever the future holds, Pope Francis’ legacy is already etched in the hearts of millions. He has been a beacon in a world shadowed by division, a voice crying out for the poor in a chorus of indifference, a father who has reminded us that faith is not a crown to wear, but a hand to extend. And so, as the sun sets over St. Peter’s Square twelve years after that rainy night, the faithful still gather—not with umbrellas now, but with candles, their flickering lights a testament to a papacy that has illuminated the darkness. The story of Pope Francis is far from over, but it is already beautiful, a tale of a man who dared to lead with love.
