Boston-area residents remember Pope Francis' progressive voice
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Pope Francis delivered his Urbi et Orbi blessing from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square on Saturday. Photo: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Catholics and supporters in blue Massachusetts are mourning the loss of Pope Francis as a voice for the rights of the poor, immigrants and communities devastated by climate change.
The big picture: The stances Pope Francis took that irked traditionalist Catholics are the same ones Boston-area leaders and residents welcomed as a sign of an institution changing with the times.
- Whether the next Pope will share those same values remains unclear.
State of play: Political leaders, including Gov. Maura Healey, all referenced Francis' record of supporting human rights, immigrant communities and the working poor.
- "He strove to make the Church more inclusive and welcoming, and he led by reminding us of the dignity and worth of every person," said Healey, the state's first elected woman and openly lesbian governor, in a statement.
- Pope Francis made waves last year when he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples.
- The move was at least two decades overdue by Massachusetts standards — and, still, he stopped short of recognizing same-sex marriage — but it defied centuries of precedent and stirred controversy among conservative Catholics.
Between the lines: Greater Boston residents who supported Pope Francis' advocacy say his voice is needed now more than ever.
- His death comes as the nation and world grapple with the Trump administration's trade wars, the unpredictable detainment and deportation of foreigners on U.S. soil and funding cuts to nonprofits that serve low-income families.
- Pope Francis, who met publicly with Vice President J.D. Vance this weekend, had recently been at odds with the administration's deportation efforts and Vance's mention of Catholic values as justification.
What they're saying: "The loss of his voice and his leadership during this critical time in our nation and the world makes his loss even more devastating," says Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, based in Boston.
- But that doesn't mean the work, or Francis' voice, disappears. "I know my work in advocating for children and families has been deeply influenced by my faith and his powerful example of love, kindness and empathy," Rodrigues tells Axios.
- "I'll be carrying that with me always."
Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association in Boston, said Pope Francis "will be remembered for his gracious humility and his willingness to demonstrate his own frailties to a world that is often uncharitable to those made vulnerable."
Axios Boston readers who embraced Pope Francis remembered his commitment to supporting the most vulnerable communities.
"I will remember Pope Francis as a humble visionary who cared about poor people, who cared about equality for LGBTQ people, who cared about the environment," says Norman Chalupka.
- "He was a religious leader who exemplified the qualities that all members of the religious community should strive to exemplify."
Drea Thorn, formerly of Andover, isn't Catholic but appreciated the pope preaching empathy and kindness to others.
- "Everyone could learn from his humility and humanity."
Gustav Garzon, a practicing Catholic, says Pope Francis' "focus on mercy and compassion for the oppressed, poor, forgotten and most marginalized among us was powerful, direct and unwavering."