Pope Francis marks 12 years as leader of the Catholic Church amid health recovery

Thursday 13 March 2025 - 12:04

By: Zahouani Ilham

Pope Francis marks 12 years as leader of the Catholic Church amid health recovery

Pope Francis recently reached a significant milestone, marking 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church. Despite being hospitalized for double pneumonia since February 14, the 88-year-old pontiff continues to receive positive medical updates. The Vatican reported on Thursday that his condition remains stable, and chest X-rays show signs of improvement. Two days earlier, doctors confirmed that he is no longer in immediate danger.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was elected after Pope Benedict XVI’s unexpected resignation in 2013. Over the past 12 years, he has become a prominent advocate for compassion, peace, and social justice. His leadership has been marked by significant reforms within the Vatican, particularly in combating clergy sexual abuse. Notably, he took action in Chile in 2018 by admitting mistakes regarding a bishop accused of covering up abuse and subsequently holding a summit to address the issue globally.

While his efforts to battle sexual abuse have led to structural changes, including opening Vatican archives and mandating abuse reporting, some critics argue that more transparency and external oversight are needed. Francis also remains an advocate for the marginalized, having traveled extensively to highlight the plight of small or marginalized Catholic communities worldwide. His diplomatic efforts include calls for peace in conflict zones like Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine, as well as advocating for the rights of migrants.

Additionally, the pope has become a staunch environmental advocate, using his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si to urge urgent action on climate change. His focus on social justice includes promoting dialogue between faiths and supporting the LGBTQ community, despite facing opposition from traditionalists.

Francis has led substantial reforms within the Vatican, decentralizing power, increasing transparency, and allowing for more significant roles for laypeople, especially women. He also reformed the Vatican’s finances, addressing corruption and scrutinizing the Vatican Bank, which led to the closure of thousands of accounts. However, his reforms have not been without resistance, with critics accusing him of exhibiting authoritarian tendencies.