To hope anew: The legacy of Pope Francis

The passing of Pope Francis led to much discussion on his legacy. Perhaps the clearest evidence of this is found in the four encyclicals he wrote during his term.

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

The passing of Pope Francis led to much discussion on his legacy. Perhaps the clearest evidence of this is found in the four encyclicals he wrote during his term. These reflected his vision of a more compassionate, inclusive and ecologically responsible Church. These four are Lumen Fidei (2013), Laudato Si (2015), Fratelli Tutti (2020) and Laudate Deum (2023). These documents offer profound insight into his priorities for the Church and his personal response to ongoing global crises.

Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith) was Pope Francis' first encyclical, though it was largely drafted by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, before his resignation. Pope Francis completed it and added his own reflections. It discusses faith as a guiding light in human life, seeking to counter the modern tendency to separate faith from reason. He wrote: "Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey." Faith, he emphasizes, is essential for building just societies and is not blind but open to truth.