The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February 2013 sent shockwaves through the global community, breaking an eight-century precedent of papal tenure ending only with death. This extraordinary departure from tradition invites reflection on the remarkable evolution of the Catholic Church’s highest office during the modern era.

Following the contentious pontificate of Pope Pius XII (1939-1958) during World War II, the College of Cardinals elected the elderly Cardinal Giovanni Roncalli as Pope John XXIII (1958-1963). Many anticipated a caretaker papacy of minimal consequence. Instead, this supposedly transitional figure stunned the world by convening the Second Vatican Council, which gathered religious leaders from across the Catholic world in an unprecedented assembly. Vatican II catalyzed a sweeping liberalization of Church practices, fostering interfaith dialogue, emphasizing social justice, and revolutionizing liturgical traditions in ways previously unimaginable.

After John XXIII’s death, Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) inherited and completed the Council’s ambitious agenda. More significantly, he transformed the papacy’s global presence by becoming the first pontiff to embrace air travel, embarking on international journeys that redefined papal engagement with the faithful worldwide. His successor, Pope John Paul I, seemed poised to continue this progressive trajectory before his unexpected death just 33 days into his pontificate. The subsequent election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II in 1978 marked another watershed moment. This charismatic Polish pontiff became a formidable geopolitical figure who helped precipitate Communism’s collapse while energizing Catholic youth movements globally.

When John Paul II’s trusted advisor Cardinal Ratzinger ascended as Pope Benedict XVI, this conservative restoration continued, culminating in his historic resignation—a final, unexpected transformation of an office that had repeatedly defied expectations throughout the modern era.

Jude Senewiratne, the writer’s father being blessed by the Pope on a Srilankan airline’s flight

In 2013, the Church faced an evident need for renewal. Following Pope Benedict’s unprecedented resignation, the election of Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio proved equally astonishing. His selection of the regnal name “Francis,” honoring the humble saint of Assisi, signaled forthcoming departures from convention. The new pontiff immediately distinguished himself when, before offering his first papal blessing to the multitudes gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he requested their prayers—an inversion of protocol without precedent in papal history. This gesture heralded the emergence of a pontiff characterized by joy, humility, and intellectual openness, who demonstrated resolute determination to reform ecclesiastical traditions incongruous with contemporary realities. Remarkably, until his death on April 22, 2025, Pope Francis maintained this distinctive pastoral approach throughout his twelve-year pontificate, preserving the refreshing ecclesiastical vision that defined his papal identity from its inception.

I was a teenager, when Pope Francis was made Pope. Like most youth, I followed his progress via Rome Reports, as well as the Pope’s own Social Media accounts. Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis maintained unwavering advocacy for social justice, consistently centering marginalized communities in Church priorities. His rhetoric and policies regarding refugees, migrants, and victims of economic inequality represented a profound recommitment to Catholic social teaching. This emphasis manifested through personal example—washing refugees’ feet, visiting impoverished communities, and challenging political leaders to create more equitable systems.

The pontiff’s dedication to ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue yielded unprecedented diplomatic breakthroughs. His historical meetings with Orthodox patriarchs, Anglican leaders, and representatives from Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism fostered mutual understanding that transcended centuries of religious division. These initiatives reflected Francis’s conviction that peaceful co-existence demanded respectful engagement across faith traditions.

Internal Vatican reforms under Francis’s leadership were equally significant. He restructured Church governance to enhance transparency, appointed unprecedented numbers of women and laypeople to positions of authority, and decentralized decision-making processes. His introduction of synodality—encouraging collective discernment through broader consultation with clergy and laity alike—represented a fundamental shift toward a more participatory ecclesiastical model.

Francis confronted the Church’s darkest crisis with unprecedented candor, acknowledging clerical abuse through formal apologies to survivors and implementing institutional safeguards to prevent future abuses. His global diplomatic engagement extended Catholic influence into conflict zones such as Ukraine-Russian war and Gaza, and international policy discussions, where he consistently advocated for peaceful resolution and humanitarian priorities. Perhaps, one of the greatest’s contributions of Pope Francis was his strong commitment for the environment and its conservation. His monumental encyclical Laudato Si advocates for the urgent action for the environment and addresses ecological and social issues stressing on sustainable lifestyle as well as responsible economic development.

Perhaps most distinctively, Francis’s pontificate was characterized by profound personal humility. His rejection of papal palatial quarters, preference for modest transportation, and spontaneous interactions with ordinary faithful dismantled barriers between the papacy and the people. This accessibility, combined with his vision of “a poor Church for the poor,” reoriented Catholic priorities toward servant leadership. His enduring legacy lies in having renewed the Church’s prophetic voice on contemporary issues while maintaining its foundational spiritual mission.

The accomplishments outlined above represent only a fraction of the many significant undertakings during the twelve-year pontificate of Pope Francis. Among these, one personal account merits documentation, both as a testament to the Pope’s spiritual influence and for the benefit of the public record. When Pope Francis announced his intention to visit Sri Lanka in early 2015, the news was met with widespread enthusiasm and joy, not only among Catholics but also among individuals of other faiths.

At the time, I had just completed my Ordinary Level examinations and was enjoying a well-earned break. Nationally, the political landscape had undergone a major transformation, with the conclusion of the decade-long regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the election of President Maithripala Sirisena under the banner of the newly formed Yahapalana government. This period was marked by a renewed sense of hope and optimism across the country, making it a particularly poignant moment for a Papal visit to our island nation.

The principal purpose of Pope Francis’ visit was the canonization of St. Joseph Vaz, Sri Lanka’s first saint, as well as a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in the northern region of the country. Although I was still a teenager, I had already developed a keen interest in both history and ecclesiastical affairs. Motivated by this interest, I authored a short article for The Messenger, focusing on the history of Papal visits to Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on the visits of Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1995. I also shared reflections on Pope Francis and the potential impact his visit might have on Sri Lanka. This article was published on January 11, 2015.

Article in the Messenger, written by the author, as a 15-year-old, and autographed by the Pope

When Pope Francis arrived at Katunayake on January 13, 2015, he was received with a brief but dignified welcoming ceremony attended by the newly elected President Sirisena. Following the formalities, the Pope commenced his journey along the Negombo Road aboard the Popemobile, proceeding at a deliberate pace while warmly acknowledging the thousands of faithful who had gathered on either side of the route to greet him. Despite the heat and humidity of that sunny morning, the 78-year-old Pontiff displayed remarkable vitality and endurance throughout this physically demanding procession. I, along with a few relatives, made our way to Wattala to witness this historic moment. To our great fortune, we were able to catch a clear and close view of the Holy Father and even managed to capture a photograph of him—an image that remains a treasured memento of that day. The following day marked the canonization of Fr. Joseph Vaz, held at Galle Face Green. In anticipation of the event, most roads in Colombo were closed, underscoring the magnitude of the occasion.

My entire family and I were among the vast congregation—estimated to be at least half a million strong—that gathered for the solemn and joyous celebration. A beautifully constructed altar had been erected for the occasion, and following the canonization, the Pope once again traversed the grounds, offering his greetings to the faithful in attendance. As a teenager firmly rooted in my Christian faith, witnessing the canonization and experiencing the presence of the Pope was a profoundly meaningful and formative moment. Though Pope Francis delivered his homily in English—a language in which he is not fluent—his words were nonetheless deeply moving and spiritually resonant.

When we returned home, my father received a phone call from his office. My father’s immediate response was that it was perhaps the best call he had ever received. Since the early 90s he had been working for SriLankan Airlines and was by then a Leading Cabin Crew Member. His superiors had selected him along with a few of his colleagues to accompany the Pope to Manila, Philippines in the SriLankan Airlines flight on January 15, 2015, as the Pope planned a 3-day visit there after Sri Lanka. This was an honour only a few would receive in their lifetimes, to closely travel and serve the Pope for nearly ten straight hours. As my father planned for this flight, the silly young me asked him to take my newspaper cutting of the Pope’s article so he could read it. My father did not refuse but asked me not to expect anything!

On the following day, Pope Francis departed for Manila, boarding the papal aircraft after a solemn and dignified farewell ceremony at the airport. My father, who was among those present, recalled that the Holy Father, even in the privacy of that setting, remained remarkably affable, serene, and gracious. After a simple meal, he warmly greeted and engaged in conversation with both the crew members and the pilots, offering each a moment of personal connection. In a fleeting yet unforgettable moment, my father too was granted an audience with the Pope—a brief exchange immortalized not by a personal photograph, which was not permitted, but by the official papal photographer. Hours into the journey, my father remembered the “small request.” Approaching the Pope’s secretary—who was seated beside the Pontiff—my father offered the article, enclosed within a folio. As is often the case with protocol, the secretary politely but firmly responded, “Unfortunately, the Holy Father is busy.” However, in a moment that revealed the Pope’s extraordinary attentiveness and humility, he overheard the exchange and requested the folio be handed to him.

Though the article was written by a teenager and, in hindsight, may seem rather unrefined, Pope Francis read it in its entirety. With a gentle smile, he turned to my father and inquired whether he might acknowledge the piece. Then, in a gesture as graceful as it was unexpected, the Pope removed his black ink pen and signed the article in his native Spanish: Franciscus, 15.1.2015.Before returning the folio, he also offered several gifts—tokens of affection and goodwill. Among them were a rosary, a commemorative medal, and a signed photograph inscribed with a simple yet moving directive: “Give this to your son.” When my father returned home and handed me these cherished items, I was overcome with awe and gratitude. The Pope, by no means obligated to engage with such a small request, had instead transformed it into a moment of lasting grace. I kept this remarkable testimony to myself for ten years, but now when the world reflects on the glorious years of Pope Francis, I thought this may be worth recording,

I am certain there are countless other narratives like mine—testimonies of kindness, humility, and quiet greatness that define Pope Francis. But for me, this singular act of thoughtfulness stands as an enduring emblem of his extraordinary humanity and spiritual generosity. I never saw or heard anything very personal of the Pope again. However, for the next ten years, I followed his work, especially his stance on Global issues. Not for one moment did he differ to his principles and style. Thus, when his death on Easter Morning was announced over the news, I too felt his loss terribly. Pope Francis’s legacy is one of luminous compassion, courageous reform, and unwavering fidelity to the Gospel’s call for justice and mercy. In an age of cynicism and division, he embodied the Church’s tender heart. His was a pontificate not of grandeur, but of grace—marked by simplicity, humility, and a love that embraced the whole world.

by Avishka Mario Senewiratne
Editor, The Ceylon Journal