Reveal the Influence of Francis's Life on His Papal Legacy
The Catholic Church grapples with mourning and transition following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, and the election of his successor, Pope Leo XIV. This rare occasion presents an opportunity to witness a global transition of leadership informed by rituals that have been guiding the Church for close to two millennia.
Behind the pomp and ceremony, titles, and institutions stand the lives of the men heading the Catholic Church - Pope Francis and, now, Pope Leo XIV. Examining their lives invites students to explore how their backgrounds and beliefs shape their decisions, the impact of these decisions on institutions, and, in turn, how these institutions shape the world.
To support such inquiry, our company In Context: Biography and our company In Context: High School aim to provide students with trustworthy content. Rather than sifting through click-bait and political agendas typical of search engine results, our company In Context offers comprehensive biographical entries accompanied by archival records, multimedia, and primary documents, all curated for academic use and regularly updated.
The Life and Legacy of Pope Francis
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, to Italian immigrants seeking refuge from fascism. As Argentina descended into political unrest following the fall of Juan Perón's populist government, young Bergoglio joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). His training in the Jesuit Order, characterized by rigorous academics focusing on moral formation and social responsibility, shaped his view of the Church's purpose and its intended audience.
As head of the Jesuit order in Argentina during the Dirty War (1976-1983), Bergoglio navigated a precarious balance, safeguarding communities without directly opposing the regime. His episcopal work subsequently placed him at the heart of vulnerable communities, strengthening his connection with residents of Buenos Aires and earning him a reputation for consistent attention to the poor and underserved.
In the 2000s, Bergoglio became one of the most prominent figures in the Latin American Church, consistently emphasizing the Church as a field hospital that meets people in crisis rather than waiting for the ideal moment to respond. His role as a humble, consistent advocate for the marginalized made him a surprising, yet fitting choice as Pope in 2013.
The Conclave: How Does a Pope Get Chosen?
With a vacancy in the papacy, the Catholic Church calls a conclave to select the next pope. Unlike political elections, cardinals aged under 80 gather in Vatican City to cast secret ballots in the Sistine Chapel, with voting continuing through multiple rounds until a two-thirds majority is achieved. Historically, nearly all popes hail from among the cardinals, with front-runners, or papabili, emerging through informal discussions based on prior leadership roles and purported ability to respond to the Church's current challenges.
Although relatively few conclaves have deviated from predictable patterns, some have been marred by controversy or unexpected outcomes. From the infamous Cadaver Synod (897), where Pope Stephen VI put his predecessor, Pope Formosus, on trial posthumously, to the Western Schism (1378), where factions elected two rival popes, the process of selecting a pope has played out in various ways throughout history.
A New Papal Legacy Begins: Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost on September 14, 1955, ascended to the papacy on May 8, 2025. A Peruvian-American, he represents a new chapter in Roman Catholic history as the first American-born pope.
His election stirred pride among American Catholics and those in Peru, where he had spent several decades serving as a missionary and educator. With a background rooted in both American and Latin American Catholicism, Leo XIV stands as a unifying figure, poised to foster dialogue between these communities and the wider global Church.
Teaching Big Ideas Through Individual Lives
As Pope Francis did not enter the papacy as a blank slate, neither does Pope Leo XIV. His experiences, from his upbringing and education in the United States to his formative years as an Augustinian friar in Peru, will shape his decision-making and impact on the Church.
By examining the lives of global leaders like Pope Leo XIV, students can explore the factors that influence their decisions and the impact of those decisions on the institutions they guide. our company In Context: Biography is designed to facilitate these conversations, offering educator-vetted life stories to help develop evidence-based interpretations and critical thinking regarding public leadership.
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- The life trajectory of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost on September 14, 1955, marked by his upbringing in the United States and his missionary work in Peru, will significantly influence his leadership in the Roman Catholic Church and the decisions he makes in his tenure as pope.
- As Pope Leo XIV represents a fusion of American and Latin American Catholicism, his unique experiences and background will hold profound implications for his ability to foster dialogue and unity within the global Church, offering a valuable lens through which students can examine the impact of individual lives on historical events and institutions, specifically in the field of finance (due to the Catholic Church's extensive influence on charities, education, and healthcare) and business (due to its global reach and the decisions made by Church leaders that can affect millions).
