Pope Francis passed away, conveying to the world his final messages about what this world could be. He died as he lived.
The Pope was not a perfect man, nor did he claim to be. His biography has shadows, his pontificate contained controversial statements, especially after the outbreak of the acute phase of the war in Ukraine.
He was accused of being too conciliatory towards Russia. He was considered too progressive, too accommodating to sexual minorities. Too benevolent towards migrants who caused so much annoyance in Europe. Not conservative and assertive enough, too concerned about the poor and disadvantaged and less about doctrine and philosophy.
But his role was not to judge, but to unite and offer understanding and, above all, kindness to everyone. It is hard to find a word that associates more naturally, more naturally with Pope Francis than kindness.
His kindness and love spread the image of a good and warm God in the world, forgiving, not vengeful, uncompromising, and inquisitorial as often happens.
Pope Francis died not only on the greatest Christian holiday, but when this holiday was at the same time for all of Christianity, one of his objectives still not definitively achieved due to petty egos.
He died after managing, with evident difficulty, to meet once again with the faithful and address them with his last words, now we understand, as a farewell. He was until the last moment among people, for people, regardless of effort and suffering. All these become, as Father Francisc Doboș says, a prophecy, for ordinary people and their leaders.
On the last day, when, evidently far from his best form, he accepted a meeting with a representative of a regime in complete antithesis with the principles and work of Pope Francis. Knowing full well that the leader of this political regime, Donald Trump, was plotting plans for his succession and the overthrow of his work since his prolonged hospitalization in winter.
Certainly, nothing of what JD Vance says and breathes, both as a physical person and as a representative of Donald Trump, resonates with Pope Francis, and his health condition gave him more than a credible and legitimate reason to refuse the meeting.
He accepted it, most likely in a final effort, a last endeavor, to prevent some of the evil unleashed by Donald Trump not only in America but also in the world. He had minimal chances of success, but it was not in the Pope's nature to refuse a chance.
If Trump - Vance had an ounce of mind and an ounce of soul, they should meditate on the huge opportunity that Pope gave them with his literal last breaths. However, I fear that having neither, their concern now is to seize the throne at the Vatican, to turn it into an annex of wicked Trumpism.
And here begins the fight for the future. The fight to preserve the legacy of the Pope.
A legacy of kindness, openness, understanding, acceptance, but also commitment. The fight to ensure that all the changes made by the Pope, not progressive ones, but in love and kindness, all the windows he opened, all the bridges he extended, all his work is not wasted, but consolidated and continued.
To understand what Pope Francis said and did, you don't need to be a practicing Christian, to go to church periodically and worship. The soul of any good person understands and resonates.
Therefore, the legacy of Pope Francis does not depend solely on his successor at the Vatican or the Catholic Church. It depends on each of us. The Pope gave himself to the whole world, to every person who turned their gaze towards him. Each person can be his heir.