On Pope Francis and a Transition
In the wake of Pope Francis' passing, his words - which urge for service, ethical leadership and a deep care for humanity and the Earth - offer guidance for choosing his successor.
“Profit is not evil — but it must be disciplined by ethics, solidarity, and respect for the environment.” World Economic Forum, 2018
“The development of artificial intelligence and machine learning has the potential to contribute in a positive way to the future of humanity, if it is guided ethically and placed at the service of every person, without discrimination or exclusion.” Rome Call for AI Ethics, 2023
“Ethical reflection must accompany the development of technology, from the earliest stages of research and not only once the technology is already fully developed.” Good Algorithm, 2020
“Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system." Evangelii Gaudium, 2013
“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish.” Laudato Si’, 2015
OUR TAKE
Pope Francis’s legacy is defined by his focus on humble service, ethical leadership, environmental stewardship, and compassionate engagement with a rapidly changing world.
The selection process of the next Pope will face pressure from some seeking a return to conservative orthodoxy and others pushing for continued reform, encountering resistance from an entrenched bureaucracy more comfortable with doctrinal continuity than prophetic leadership.
Continuing Pope Francis's legacy will require selecting a successor who sees the future as actively shaping a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable world — through service, vigilance, and courage.