Reflections on Pope Francis and His Legacy: An Anglican Perspective

Today, as I walked through the grand doors of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, I was greeted by a gentle soul who invited me to an ANZAC Day service to be led by His Grace. In our brief conversation, she remarked, “It seems like a great many people are only realising now what a wonderful Pope they had.” Her words lingered with me, echoing the sense of loss and gratitude that has swept across so many hearts—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—since the news of Pope Francis’ passing.

As an Anglican, I find myself reflecting deeply on the legacy of Pope Francis. I shed a tear on hearing the news of his death. He was someone who spoke my language, someone who echoed in words, such as those found in Laudato Si’, my own experience of the Divine and the way that experience is mediated through the gift of this beautiful planet.

Pope Francis wrote,

“The divine and the human meet in the slightest detail in the seamless garment of God’s creation, in the last speck of dust of our planet.”

(Laudato Si’, 9)

And again,

“The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, God’s boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is a caress of God.”

(Laudato Si’, 84)

These words resonate with the Anglican tradition’s deep appreciation for the sacramentality of creation. Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, did more than call us to environmental stewardship; it gave us a sacred language to express what many of us already felt in our hearts—that caring for the earth is not just an act of self-preservation, but a sacred act of love. In tending to creation, we return the caress of the One who first caressed us.

Laudato Si’ will, I believe, be Pope Francis’ greatest legacy. It continues to inspire people of faith to see the world as a gift and a responsibility. His follow-up, Laudate Deum, expressed his frustration at humanity’s inability to address the climate crisis meaningfully—a challenge that will remain with us for generations.

But Francis’ legacy is not only ecological. His humility, his commitment to peace, his pastoral heart, and his bravery have inspired me and countless others. He chose to live in a modest flat rather than the Papal Palace, carried his own suitcase, and, upon his election, took the name Francis—not after a Jesuit saint, but after the founder of the Franciscans, signaling a desire for unity and reconciliation within the Church.

One of the Catholic Church’s great strengths is its sense of continuity, but this can also make change difficult. Francis navigated this tension with grace, inviting the Church to be pastoral rather than merely doctrinal, especially in its relationship with LGBTIQA+ people. He called for an end to antisemitism and Islamophobia, and he was unafraid to speak out against injustice, even when it meant challenging powerful governments or standing alone.

I am particularly moved by stories of his daily phone calls to the parish priest in Gaza, a small but profound gesture that said, “You are not forgotten.” While others hesitated to challenge the powerful, Francis sent envoys and appointed leaders who would stand up for gospel values, even in the face of political caprice.

As The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, Dean of St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane, so eloquently wrote:

“I shed a tear on hearing the news of the death of Pope Francis. He was someone who spoke my language, someone who echoed in words, my experience of the Divine and the way that experience can be mediated through the gift of this beautiful planet… In Laudato Si’ he showed how our caring for the planet is not just as an act of self-survival, though it is certainly that, but that it is also a sacred act of love; one way for us to caress in turn the one who caresses us… Other aspects of Francis’ character that inspired me were his humility, his commitment to peace making, his pastoral heart and his bravery… I will miss him dearly.”

— The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, Dean of St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane

Dr Catt, who holds a Bachelor of Divinity and a PhD in Evolutionary Microbiology, is Chair of the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce and President of A Progressive Christian Voice. He also serves on Anglican and Ecumenical Social Justice Committees at both diocesan and national levels. His words capture the gratitude and admiration felt by so many across the Anglican Communion and beyond.

As I prepare to attend the ANZAC Day service tonight, I am reminded that the true measure of a leader is often only fully appreciated in hindsight. The lady I met at St Mary’s was right: many are only now realising what a remarkable Pope Francis was. His legacy, however, is not confined to the Catholic Church. It is a gift to all Christians, and indeed to all people of goodwill.

I will miss him dearly. But I am grateful for the language, the vision, and the courage he has given us. May we honour his memory by continuing to care for creation, to seek peace, and to love with humility and bravery.