Why He Was Called The People’s Pope: Eight Times Pope Francis Stepped Out Of The Norm
Pope Francis was adored globally for his humility and openness to change. He differed from his predecessors in more ways than one during his 12 years as leader of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis was warmly referred to as the People’s Pope because he resonated so well with the average person in their day-to-day life. Better still, he pushed the usual Catholic boundaries by welcoming communities that were historically shunned by the church.
From riding a bus instead of a limousine to meeting with around a dozen trans activists, the late Pope Francis will go down as one of the most progressive popes in modern history – marking the start of what could become a more inclusive Catholic Church.
Here are eight things that he did to prove this:
1. Allowing the blessing of same-sex couples
In Declaration Fiducia supplicans released in 2023, the Pope allowed ordained ministers to bless people engaged in an “irregular” romantic situation, including same-sex couples.
When critics lambasted his decision, Pope Francis hit back saying they are guilty of hypocrisy.
“No one is scandalised if I give a blessing to an entrepreneur who perhaps exploits people: and that is a most serious sin. Whereas they are scandalized if I give it to a homosexual… This is hypocrisy! We all have to respect each other. Everyone! The heart of the document is welcome,” he responded in an interview in Italian magazine Credere.
2. Washing the feet of prisoners, women, and Muslims
Just weeks after becoming pope, Francis broke tradition by washing and kissing the feet of 12 young prisoners, including two women and two Muslims, during Holy Thursday Mass.
Popes traditionally washed only the feet of priests – all men, symbolising the apostles.
In 2024, he went a step further and washed the feet of 12 inmates – all of whom were women. This became the first time a pope has washed the feet of women exclusively during the annual ceremony.
3. Choosing a guesthouse over the Apostolic Palace
Rather than move into the opulent Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis chose to live in the Vatican guesthouse, sharing meals with others and living modestly. This choice symbolised his rejection of clerical privilege and distance from the people.
4. Opening church doors to the divorced
Pope Francis softened the church’s stance on divorced catholics through a document released in 2016 called Amoris Laetitia. In it, he wrote that priests and bishops can decide on a case-by-case basis whether individuals should be subject to strict church teachings – including about marriage and divorce.
Not long after, he praised a document penned by bishops in Argentina which said that civilly remarried couples can’t abstain from sex – as the church dictated they should – and can’t get an annulment, they could go through a “journey of discernment” which, in some special cases, might allow them to receive the sacraments.
5. Meeting with transgender Catholic activists
Last year, the pontiff met with a group of catholic transgender activists. This came after he reaffirmed the church’s antiquated outlook on gender-reaffirming care for transgender people.
The 80-minute meeting was held privately with Catholic members of the LGBTIQ+ community sharing their own personal experiences with their gender identities and the church.
An endocrinologist who took part in the papal meeting said the pope was very receptive, listened empathetically and said he wanted to focus on the person and their well-being.
This was one of several meetings Pope Francis had with transgender people, some of whom had been ousted by their local catholic communities.
6. Riding a minibus instead of a limo
When he was elected pope in March 2013, instead of riding in the papal limousine back to the Vatican — as is tradition — he chose to ride the minibus with the other cardinals who had just elected him.
This moment stood out globally because one of his first acts as pope, immediately showed his humility and preference for simplicity.
7. Releasing the first major papal document focused on the environment
Pope Francis shifted the papal focus from culture wars to major global issues – including climate change.
In 2015, he published an encyclical (a formal papal letter) which was entirely dedicated to the environment and humanity’s responsibility to protect it – the first of its kind.
He called out human behaviours which are damaging the planet – including industrial pollution, overconsumption and deforestation – and highlighted how poorer communities bear the brunt of the consequences despite contributing the least to the problem.
He further introduced the idea of “integral ecology” – caring for the planet and for each other.
8. A change in burial site and ritual
Even in his death, Pope Francis chose to go against the grain and be buried differently from his predecessors.
He chose to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, departing from the traditional burial site beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. This decision reflects his deep personal devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly the revered icon Salus Populi Romani housed in the basilica.
Pope Francis further opted for a single wooden coffin instead of the customary three nested coffins and eliminated the practice of placing the pope’s body on an elevated platform for public viewing. These changes were intended to emphasise humility and his role as a pastor rather than a monarch.
Pope Francis remained rooted in Catholic tradition by balancing reform with unity and has not changed doctrine on issues like same-sex marriage and women in priesthood during his 12 years as head of the Catholic Church.
However, his rhetoric, priorities and certain reforms challenged entrenched traditions, softened rigid stances, and made millions feel seen and valued.
Widely considered the most progressive pope in modern history, many hope that his work will pave the way for a more open and compassionate Catholic Church.
Featured image: Vatican media via AP