As Pope Francis marks twelve years at the helm of the Catholic Church, his papacy stands as a defining era of reform, pastoral outreach, and great advocacy for the marginalized. Since his election on March 13, 2013, the first Jesuit and Latin American pope has reshaped the papal office with humility, doctrinal reorientation, and a bold engagement with contemporary global challenges.

Pope Francis initiated sweeping reforms in the governance of the Church, culminating in Praedicate Evangelium (2022), which reorganized the Roman Curia to enhance efficiency, transparency, and missionary zeal. His emphasis on decentralization has given local bishops’ conferences more autonomy while reinforcing synodality as a cornerstone of Church governance. Measures against clerical abuses, including the revision of Vos Estis Lux Mundi (2019), further underscored his commitment to accountability and justice.

A defining feature of his papacy has been his relentless advocacy for the poor. From his decision to reside in Casa Santa Marta rather than the Apostolic Palace to his frequent visits to slums, prisons and refugee camps, he has lived out his call for a “poor Church for the poor.” His encyclicals Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020) reinforced his concern for environmental justice, economic inequality, and global fraternity, urging world leaders to prioritize human dignity over profit.

Championing synodality, he has led a global consultation on Church renewal. The Synod on the Family (2014–2015) led to Amoris Laetitia (2016), which allowed a more pastoral approach to divorced and remarried Catholics. The just concluded Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) sought to reshape the Church’s decision-making processes, emphasizing inclusion, dialogue, and lay participation.

His interfaith and ecumenical efforts have been equally transformative. His historic meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow (2016) was the first between a pope and a Russian Orthodox patriarch in nearly a millennium. His visit to Abu Dhabi (2019) led to the Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb. His outreach to Jewish communities and participation in Reformation commemorations with Lutherans reflect his broader vision of Christian unity.

Francis has also played an active role in global diplomacy. He mediated the 2014 U.S.-Cuba reconciliation, persistently called for peace in Ukraine, Russia, the Holy Land, and Syria, and advocated for nuclear disarmament. His advocacy for migrants remains a hallmark of his papacy, notably bringing refugees from Lesbos to Rome in 2016.

While upholding Catholic doctrine, Francis has emphasized mercy over rigidity. He extended the power to absolve abortion to all priests, encouraged a more pastoral approach to LGBTQ+ individuals, and declared the death penalty inadmissible. These actions have sparked both praise and criticism, reflecting his balancing act between doctrinal fidelity and pastoral adaptation.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw Francis provide spiritual leadership in a time of global crisis. His solitary Urbi et Orbi blessing in an empty St. Peter’s Square (March 27, 2020) became an iconic image of faith amid uncertainty. He championed vaccine equity, urged solidarity with the vulnerable, and guided the Church through the challenges arising from the pandemic.

His apostolic travels have prioritized reaching the peripheries, with historic visits to Iraq (2021), South Sudan (2023), and Mongolia (2023). His approach to inculturation has encouraged local expressions of faith, particularly in indigenous communities.

More recently, Pope Francisfaced significant health struggles, including major intestinal surgery (2021), knee ailments, and recent hospitalization for pneumonia. Despite these challenges, he continues to lead with saintly dedication, actively participating in Vatican affairs and maintaining an ambitious pastoral and diplomatic agenda.

As Pope Francis enters his twelfth year as the Bishop of Rome, his legacy of bold reform, compassion for the marginalized, and a renewed vision of the Church as a global instrument of peace and mercy begins to invite all to a Church that cares. Journalists and theologians are divided as to whether history will judge him as a revolutionary or a bridge-builder, but his influence on Catholicism – and the world – will undoubtedly endure for generations.

Happy 12th Anniversary Dear Pope Francis.

•Fr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ã, PhD, wrote from Vatican City.