It takes a lot to get me excited to see another person, especially if they are famous. I must admit that when I took the above picture of Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to America, I was in awe of him. For the most part, even famous and powerful people are just people. Sure, he’s the only Pope I’ve ever seen in person, but that’s not what excited me. What excited me was that in a world full of leaders who inevitably disappoint you, he actually tried very hard not to. I’ll always appreciate that.

Most of the eulogies we’ll hear about him will either focus on the politics of his papacy or on the doctrinal proclamations he made, and I think they both miss the point. As a matter of policy, Pope Francis did not change the church’s position on gay marriage, abortion, female priests, the death penalty, charity for the poor, or accepting refugees. On all of those issues he was essentially in the same place as Benedict or John Paul. Even so, he completely reset the tone. He said “who am I to judge,” echoing Jesus saying “let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” He went into the streets with the poor, the sick, and the homeless. He walked the walk on acts of charity. He used his great power to shine light on the people that needed light. His presence, as an Argentinian Pope, opened the doors of power to the global South. He met with leaders across faith lines and held dialogue. Pope Francis sent a clear message- the doors to his church and his faith were open to everyone, even the sinners.

So much of his Papacy was about healing wounds and divides in the church, and the biggest one he faced was the child sex abuse scandal that scarred the faith for decades. He was the first Pope in a while who wasn’t clearly tarnished by it, and I would have liked him to have gone further in his condemnation of it. I think that has to be said. I think he struggled with how far to go at times. He did eventually defrock bishops and cardinals for their failings though, and offered the first truly sincere apology of the church for their failings. It was, more so than not, a step in the right direction. I would say the same for his acknowledgement of other atrocities, such as those committed against Native Americans, as well. You can’t heal all past wrongs on this Earth, but honesty is at least a start.

Pope Francis was a mainstream Catholic leader, however he was a Pope of the people. He wanted to be inclusive in his faith and help people who needed helping. He achieved his mission. Now we can only hope a new leader emerges that is committed to taking the cause further. May God have mercy on his soul.