South Florida archdiocese: Pope Francis saw church as a 'field hospital' for displaced, marginalized

Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, passed away at 88. Renowned for his progressive views, he advocated for marginalized communities and reframed the Church as a 'field hospital' to aid those suffering in society. His humble lifestyle and direct actions—such as visiting displaced migrants—endeared him to many, even outside the Church. As the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America, he appointed women to high positions in the Curia and left a lasting impact on the Church's engagement with social issues.

"The Church, Pope Francis insisted, is not only to teach but to act - to embrace those on the periphery and to bring the light of Christ to the darkest corners of society."

"Pope Francis saw the Church as a 'field hospital' called to tend to the wounded on the battlefields of life, offering her medicine of mercy to all."

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