5 Things Pope Francis's Life and Legacy Teach Us

Pope Francis was the man at the head of 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. He was the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church from 2013 until his passing in 2025 (see Why Do Catholics Have a Pope), and had variety of religious and political duties, including but not limited to, meeting with the leaders of over 100 countries, appointing new bishops, conducting liturgies, and holding general audiences with thousands of Catholics.

With the passing of Pope Francis, the world has lost not only a spiritual leader but also a voice that consistently called Christians toward humility, compassion, and Christ-centered living. His death leaves believers contemplating the future of global Christianity, interfaith dialogue, and unity within the Church - click here to join the conversation on Crosswalk Forums.

While theological differences remain between Catholics and Evangelicals, Pope Francis’s life and ministry offered powerful reminders of values that transcend denominational lines. In this time of reflection, here are five lessons Evangelicals can glean from the legacy he leaves behind.

5 Things Christians Can Learn from the Life and Legacy of Pope Francis

The Power of Pope Francis's Humble Leadership

Pope Francis’ humble nature turned heads, as he chose to live more simply than past Popes. In Vatican City, Pope Francis typically rode in your everyday Ford Focus, instead of using a custom-built “Popemobile” with bulletproof glass. When Pope arrived in the United States, he chose to ride in a small Fiat over a luxurious limo. 

After Pope Francis addressed Congress, he was invited to dine with Congressmen and women, but declined the invitation to serve and eat with Washington D.C.’s homeless population instead. He showed us that we are not to pursue money or prestige. Instead, we should embrace humility and strive to live more like Jesus. 

The Importance of Treating Everyone with Respect 

The Pope made multiple comments about demonstrating love and respect to everyone. Gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian, child or adult, sick or healthy, wealthy or poor, Pope Francis reminded us that everyone deserves to be treated like a person and demonstrated this himself. 

Pope Francis hugged people with diseases, kissed the feet of teenagers in a juvenile detention center, allowed a child to sit in his chair while he spoke to a crowd, and made a personal phone call to comfort a rape victim. The pontiff went out of his way to show people that they were important to him and to God. All Christians should be sending this message. 

How Pope Francis Advocated for the Poor and Marginalized

Pope Francis showed us how to give freely and expect nothing in return. Early in his papacy, the Pope auctioned off his Harley-Davidson motorcycle to fund a soup kitchen. He also started a campaign to install showers in the Vatican for homeless people to use. The showers opened in February, along with weekly professional haircuts. 

Pope Francis gave these services to people who could not give him anything in return except their gratitude. Many Christians give to the poor, but we need to remember to give cheerfully, remembering that we are commanded to do so in scripture (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

Ways Pope Francis Promoted Peace

The Pope called on Christians to be peacemakers and said that prayer is a vessel for peace. The pontiff also spoke against the Syrian civil war and the war in Palestine, saying that using violence only sparks further violence. 

On World Peace Day in 2015, Pope Francis dedicated the day to a different kind of peace -- the fight against human trafficking and slavery. He committed to ending human ownership, an issue that all Christians should stand firmly against. 

Understanding that Change is a Gift from God

The pontiff did not fear our shifting cultural landscape regarding technology. While some Christian leaders debate how much technology churches should use, Pope Francis called the internet “a gift from God” for all the potential it has to help others. He did not hesitate to connect with young Catholics by posing for selfies. 

However, Pope Francis warned that while technology can be used for good, it can also distance us from our neighbors. 

Though Evangelicals and Catholics disagree on some aspects of Christianity, we can agree to apply these five lessons in our own lives. Humility, respectfulness, willingness to give, peacefulness, and embracing change can translate across all denominations of Christianity. 

Originally published September 24, 2015.