The Death of Pope Francis and His Legacy for Religious Diplomacy and Catholic Progressivism

With the recent passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church enters a historical turning point. As the leader of more than one billion faithful around the world, Francis marked his papacy with a notably progressive stance on issues that, for centuries, had been met with silence or denial by the ecclesiastical hierarchy. His death not only closes an era but also opens a period of uncertainty and internal disputes about the direction the Church will take.

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit to sit on Peter’s throne, and one of the most charismatic leaders of our time. During more than a decade as pontiff, he broke with Vatican formalism, choosing a simpler and more accessible lifestyle. He rejected luxury, defended the poor, opened the Vatican to refugees, and did not hesitate to confront the conservatism deeply rooted in parts of the Church.

His leadership was marked by a strong commitment to religious diplomacy—the use of the Church's moral and spiritual authority to build bridges rather than walls. A notable example was his approach to China, a country where Christianity is strictly regulated by the state. Francis also took bold stances in defense of migrants, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, support for war victims—including criticism of the offensives in Gaza—and the protection of the environment, as reflected in his encyclical Laudato Si’.

The Pope was not just a spiritual leader; he was also a head of state with his own brand of diplomacy—one grounded in Gospel values but applied to the geopolitical stage with strategic intelligence and deep humanity. He managed to position the Vatican as a relevant player in global debates, addressing issues such as climate change, migration, inequality, and peace with the authority of someone who speaks from universal ethical principles.

However, his death comes at a delicate time. The world is witnessing a rising wave of conservatism, marked by xenophobic rhetoric, attacks on minorities, and hate speech disguised as “defense of traditional values.” Within the Church itself, conservative factions have long awaited the chance to roll back the progress made and reaffirm stricter, more dogmatic positions.

Still, Francis shaped the College of Cardinals in such a way that 108 of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote were appointed by him. This composition points to a real possibility of continuity in his legacy. However, papal elections are also arenas of tension, maneuvering, and surprise. The outcome will not only define the immediate future of the Church but also the role the Vatican will play in the moral and political disputes of the 21st century.

Francis' legacy lives on. He showed us that it is possible to be faithful to tradition while listening to the cries of the present. He taught that the Church can be a home for all, especially those who suffer most. And he proved, with courage and compassion, that religious diplomacy can be a transformative force in the global arena. Time will tell whether his successors will share the same vision and courage to carry his path forward.

Wesley S T Guerra

Wesley Sá Teles Guerra, a Hispanic-Brazilian, is a writer, professor, and internationalist.

He currently works as the manager of the Triangulation and International Cooperation Fund Portugal-Latin America and Portuguese-Speaking African Countries at the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), in addition to serving as a professor of Paradiplomacy and the Third Sector at Alphaville College.

He is the author of works such as Paradiplomacy Notebooks, Paradiplomacy Reviews: The Rise of the Subnations, Cities, and Smartcities, and The Survival Manual of International Relations, among other publications.

He is the founder of CERES – Center for International Relations Studies – and a member of several international institutions, such as REPIT (Network of Experts in Paradiplomacy and Territorial Internationalization), IAPSS (International Association for Political Science Students), and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR).

A specialist in International Relations (FESPS – São Paulo), Paradiplomacy (Humboldt University), International Cooperation and European Project Management (UNIA Sevilla), International Management (Harvard), and Marketing (Massachusetts Institute of Business), he has a solid academic background and a distinguished professional career. His achievements include over seven years of experience as an international consultant for the Generalitat de Catalunya, roles in multinational companies like HP and Microsoft, and serving as coordinator of the Galician Observatory for Lusophony, where he was responsible for drafting the foundations of a Galicia-Brazil Action Plan for the Xunta de Galicia.

In academia, he holds a degree in Business Administration (Catholic University of Brasília), a postgraduate qualification in International Relations and Political Science (Foundation School of Sociology and Politics of São Paulo), a master’s degree in Social Policies with a specialization in Migrations (University of La Coruña), a master’s degree in Smart City Management (Universitat Carlemany, Andorra), and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Sociology and Transformations of Contemporary Society at the International Doctoral School (Spain).