A leader who changed the World – The passing of a spiritual guide whose pontificate was devoted to reconciliation, social justice, and humanity

Written for Kosovo Online by Zeljko Sajn

The world has lost one of the most prominent spiritual figures of the modern age—Pope Francis passed away on the second day of Easter, in the Vatican, leaving behind a profound legacy in the history of the Roman Catholic Church and the global community. His pontificate was marked by a commitment to simplicity, dialogue, mercy, and social justice, often stepping beyond traditional norms, addressing not only Catholics but all of humanity.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina was elected the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI. He chose the name Francis I, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, and from the moment he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in a simple white cassock—without the centuries-old red and gold vestments—he signaled a different approach to his role in the Church and the world.

Pope Francis will be remembered as a reformer of the Roman Catholic Church who, despite strong opposition from conservative circles, managed to implement numerous changes. His vision of the Church was more inclusive, more open to the world, more responsive to the needs of ordinary believers, and firmly committed to the idea of fraternity—where all are accepted as equals, with the same dignity and rights.

I had the special honor of meeting Pope Francis. Despite years of work in journalism and many interviews with significant world figures, that encounter remains one of the most meaningful moments of my professional and spiritual journey. Meeting such a person cannot be described even with the noblest of words—for words are simply not enough to capture his gentleness, warmth, and breadth of perspective. I say this as an Orthodox believer, as a journalist for one of the most respected newspapers in the Balkans—Belgrade’s Politika—and as a contributor to the Kosovo Online portal. His words—spoken quietly yet powerfully, humanely and sincerely—transformed people’s awareness of the times we live in, and today, after his death, they continue to live on as a reminder of the right path for all of us who believe in the well-being of humanity, in peace, and in the power of words and dialogue.

“Let us always pray for one another, for the whole world—that we may achieve great brotherhood. I wish for this path of the Church to be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city,” Pope Francis said in his first address to the faithful. He never abandoned the idea of fraternity.

He consistently demonstrated his stance on poverty and simplicity in daily life—he did not live in the Apostolic Palace but in a Vatican guesthouse, prepared his own meals, and invited the homeless and former prisoners to his table. He walked in worn shoes, drove a modest Italian car, and constantly highlighted the plight of the marginalized—refugees, migrants, and the poor. His style was his message—a more compassionate, less dogmatic approach, a Church close to the people.

Pope Francis earned global respect for his advocacy of peace, refugee rights, social justice, and environmental protection, as well as for implementing decisive measures against clerical child abuse. He carried out fundamental reforms of the Roman Curia—decentralizing power, increasing transparency, and granting more authority to women, some of whom were appointed to high positions. These changes, despite resistance, came to life through the Church’s new Constitution in 2022. His vision of a more inclusive Church never waned.

Conservative circles in the Vatican criticized him for “excessive liberalism” and his efforts to resolve corruption within the Vatican Bank, but Pope Francis remained steadfast. He opened the doors of the Vatican to a new era—an era in which change became a constant.

In a world grappling with the horrors of war and its consequences, fearing a global third world war and the use of nuclear weapons, he promoted reconciliation, love, and peace among religions, nations, and people, offering guidance toward peace and prosperity—something the modern world longs for, including the Balkans, where tension again prevails and the dramatic memories of the distant and recent past have not completely faded. He reminded religious leaders of their shared mission to build peace, and believers to adopt a stance of dialogue and openness, while preserving their own identity.

He consistently supported territorial integrity and sovereignty, respect for international law, and the UN Charter. He was sympathetic to Serbia and its principles, something I personally witnessed during a general audience in the Vatican in 2024, where he expressed his intention and desire to visit Belgrade. In the conversation we had about Serbia, in the presence of my family, he exclaimed joyfully and with a radiant expression, “Serbia!” showing his affection for our country with a raised thumb. Sadly, Serbia never received a visit from this wise man and may have missed an opportunity for greater support in preserving its territorial integrity, given that the head of the Catholic Church holds significant influence over major powers that recognized Kosovo’s independence—unlike the Vatican.

One of his most important messages to the world was delivered through an interview with Politika and addressed to global leaders:

“Dialogue does not mean erasing or ignoring differences, or even past wounds. On the contrary, dialogue is a conscious and calm way of accepting history, injustices, and differences, with a view to a future in which extremism, division, and greed will not have the final say. Conflicts are not resolved by forgetting, ignorance, or erasing everything, but through dialogue—recognizing the other and accepting that we all benefit from the broader picture. No one matures locked within their own beliefs. Openness does not threaten identity—it enriches it. Without dialogue, we promote a culture of ghettos, deciding who is and who isn’t a person. It is essential that communication channels remain open so that we can reconnect.”

The world has lost Pope Francis, the first truly global leader of the Catholic Church, who brought profound change to how faith, dialogue, and modern social challenges are approached during his pontificate. His leadership marked a departure from the traditional, moralistic, middle-class Catholicism and opened the way for tolerance, inclusion, and interreligious dialogue. Pope Francis sought to bring the Church closer to the people, especially those on the margins, sending messages of solidarity, understanding, and peace.

His death marks the end of an important era in the history of the Catholic Church, but also a moment to reflect on the deep legacy he has left—both within the Church hierarchy and in the global social context.