Passing of Pope Francis: Reflections from the East

​This morning, many of us in the western hemisphere awoke to the news that Pope Francis had passed away at the age of 88.

As I briefly scrolled through social media—particularly posts from Eastern Orthodox sites that I follow—I was struck by the wide range of emotions and reactions. Some were deeply moving, while others were surprisingly harsh, even condemning, and lacked a tone of Christian compassion in response to the passing of a fellow child of God.

In this moment, let us pause to reflect on who Pope Francis was, the divisions that still exist between our Churches, the future of our inter-Christian relations, and above all, let us pray for the soul of the servant of God who departed this life today.

Passing of Pope Francis: Reflections from the East
The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of an era in the Roman Catholic Church—an era defined by outreach, reform, and a deep emphasis on mercy. As the world mourns, Christians from every tradition reflect on his legacy, and what his death means not only for the Catholic Church, but for the broader Christian family, including us of the Eastern Orthodox faith.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, became the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and notably, the first pope to choose the name "Francis," honoring Saint Francis of Assisi—a symbol of humility and care for the poor. His papacy was marked by a focus on compassion, care for the environment, interfaith dialogue, and attention to the marginalized.

But his tenure was also marked by controversy, particularly in theological and moral matters, drawing both admiration and criticism from across the Christian world. While many applauded his pastoral tone and openness, others—especially from more traditional backgrounds—found some of his teachings and statements difficult to reconcile with established doctrine.

From the Eastern Orthodox perspective, the papacy is a complex institution. While we honor the ancient primacy that the Bishop of Rome held in the early Church—as "first among equals"—we do not accept the doctrine of papal supremacy or infallibility as defined in later Catholic doctrine. To us, no single bishop, however elevated, holds authority over the whole Church in matters of faith and dogma.

Our ecclesiology is conciliar, rooted in the model of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and a balance of autocephalous (self-governing) churches united in shared faith and sacramental life. The development of the papacy in the West, especially after the Great Schism, took a trajectory foreign to the Orthodox mindset and tradition.

The schism between the Eastern and Western Churches formally occurred in 1054 AD, though tensions had been brewing for centuries before. The causes were manifold: theological differences (like the addition of the Filioque clause to the Nicene Creed), disputes over papal authority, liturgical practices, and cultural-linguistic divides between Latin West and Greek East.

Over the centuries, this schism was deepened by political conflicts, the trauma of the Crusades—especially the sacking of Constantinople in 1204—and mutual excommunications. Though these were lifted in the 20th century, the theological and ecclesial rift remains.

With the passing of Pope Francis and the impending election of a new pope, there may be renewed hopes for reconciliation, or at least closer understanding between East and West. Pope Francis made significant gestures toward unity: his meetings with Patriarch Bartholomew, his support for pan-Christian dialogue, and his willingness to acknowledge historic wounds.

Will the next pope continue in this spirit? That remains to be seen. If he does, perhaps more meaningful dialogue may resume—dialogue that seeks not the submission of one tradition to another, but the rediscovery of our shared apostolic roots.

But we must be sober in our assessments. For real union to take place, it would require profound shifts within the Catholic Church—reconsiderations of papal supremacy, dogmas proclaimed after the schism, and practices that have diverged significantly from the early undivided Church.

These aren’t minor adjustments—they are tectonic changes that would shake the very identity of Roman Catholicism as it has developed over the past 1000 years. Similarly, Orthodoxy, bound by the teachings of the Fathers and the canons of the Councils, is not easily swayed by ecumenical trends or political pressures.

True unity is not the product of diplomacy alone, but the fruit of spiritual repentance, theological clarity, and deep love.

It is quite possible—realistically probable—that full communion between East and West will not occur in our lifetimes, nor perhaps for centuries. The scars are deep, and the differences substantial. But Christ prayed that His followers "may be one." That prayer echoes through time and continues to call us forward.

The road to unity is not paved with compromises, but with mutual understanding, humility, and fidelity to truth. And that takes time—generations, if not longer.

As we reflect on Pope Francis' life and death, we remember that he, like all of us, was human. He made decisions—some of which puzzled or even offended some Orthodox Christians. His theological approach and statements occasionally crossed boundaries that, in the East, we hold sacred and immutable.

Yet he was a man who, like all Christians, strove toward Christ in the best way he knew. He bore the weight of immense responsibility, and he did so with visible compassion and a heart for the downtrodden. That is not nothing. That is, in fact, something we can honor, even as we hold to our own convictions.

He was a sinner, as we all are. He stumbled, as we all do. And now, as he departs this world, we entrust his soul to the mercy of God.

Let us, as Orthodox Christians, offer up our prayers for Pope Francis. Not with fanfare or theological compromise, but with love—for he was made in the image of God, baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and called to serve Christ’s flock.