Today, we honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, a man whose impact reached far beyond the walls of the Vatican or the confines of any one faith. To many of us who are not Catholic, and some of us who are not religious at all, Pope Francis stood as a rare figure: a leader who prioritized compassion over doctrine, humility over grandeur, and action over empty words.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis carried with him the deep imprints of his early life—working-class roots, Jesuit discipline, and a steadfast commitment to the dignity of the poor and the marginalized. When he ascended to the papacy in 2013, he chose the name “Francis,” not after a prince or a statesman, but after a saint who loved the earth, the animals, and the forgotten. That choice alone spoke volumes.

What set Pope Francis apart was his relentless insistence that faith—any faith—must serve humanity first. He was a pope who washed the feet of prisoners, embraced refugees, and spoke often and openly about the dangers of unchecked capitalism, environmental destruction, and political indifference to human suffering. He reminded the powerful that true leadership requires service, and he reminded the faithful that faith without love is an empty gesture.

For those of us outside the Catholic tradition, Francis modeled something profoundly rare in an age of cynicism: a moral voice that spoke not to control, but to inspire. Whether it was urging the world to confront climate change, pleading for mercy toward migrants, or calling on nations to end the “globalization of indifference,” he challenged humanity to choose solidarity over selfishness. He challenged us, whatever our beliefs, to recognize each other’s full humanity.

He was not a perfect man—nor did he ever pretend to be. His tenure was marked by difficult debates and frustrations, especially within an institution known for its resistance to change. But what made Francis extraordinary was his willingness to wrestle publicly with those contradictions. He showed that leadership is not about infallibility, but about striving toward justice, even when the path is long and the obstacles many.

In a world that often feels hardened by cruelty, Pope Francis remained defiantly tender. In a time when division seemed to be the rule, he called us to see beyond borders, beyond creeds, beyond all the small boxes we so eagerly use to sort humanity into “us” and “them.” In doing so, he left behind something bigger than any edict or encyclical: he left behind a living example of what it looks like to lead with heart.

As we bid farewell to this remarkable man, we carry forward the example he set: a life rooted in humility, in service, and in a boundless compassion for all people, not just those who shared his faith. In that spirit, may we honor his memory not with empty ceremony, but with renewed commitment to the world he sought to heal.

Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Your light endures.

Julie Bolejack, MBA