Renowned management guru Stephen Covey, in his famous book, "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," has stated four goals of life: to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy. A person who achieves the first three goals will definitely be able to leave a legacy for posterity. Pope Francis lived an enthusiastic, passionate and vibrant life; his love was all-inclusive and selfless; he was always eager to learn not only from various media sources but mainly from people and the Book of Life. Thus, he was able to leave a unique legacy.

The most significant legacy of Pope Francis is lessons and insights that leaders across the Christian spectrum—and indeed all faith traditions—can glean from his leadership style. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has become one of the most influential religious leaders of the 21st century. His papacy marks a significant shift in tone and emphasis within the Catholic Church, especially regarding humility, inclusion, pastoral care, social justice and interfaith dialogue.

Lead from the Front
Pope Francis led the Church not by authority but mainly by his example. He presented himself as a role model of simplicity and humility. Instead of the traditional papal red robes, he chose simple white garments. Before giving the traditional blessing to the people, he asked the crowd to pray for him first. He chose to live in a modest guest house rather than the Apostolic Palace, carrying his own briefcase and personally paying his hotel bill after being elected.

Though symbolic, these gestures communicated a more profound message: leadership in the Church is not about power but service. This kind of humility was deeply rooted in his understanding of Christian leadership as servant leadership. His life showed that authority is for service, not to rule over others. Unfortunately, many Church leaders failed to learn from Pope Francis' humility and simplicity.

Church leaders should avoid clericalism and be accessible, human, and deeply connected to the people they serve. Humility doesn't weaken leadership; it strengthens its credibility. Pope Francis often advised priests and bishops to get out of clericalism. "Clericalism is a whip, it is a scourge, it is a form of worldliness that defiles and damages the face of the Lord's bride," Pope Francis said once. He had issued strong critiques of clericalism and ostentatious displays of wealth. He warned against the temptation to treat ministry as a career path or an exercise in self-promotion.

Embrace a Pastoral Heart
Pope Francis famously said, "The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful." This pastoral approach prioritises mercy over judgment and accompaniment over condemnation. His metaphor of the Church as a "field hospital after battle" captures his vision of a Church that meets people where they are, in the messiness of life.

Instead of rigidly enforcing rules, Francis emphasises the need for pastors to listen, understand, and offer compassionate guidance. His apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) encourages clergy to be "shepherds living with the smell of the sheep."
Pastoral ministry must be rooted in empathy and proximity. Leaders should spend less time behind desks and more time in hospitals, prisons, shelters, and neighbourhoods—where Christ himself would be found.

Stand with the Last and the Least
Throughout his papacy, Francis has drawn global attention to the plight of the poor, migrants, and refugees. He has consistently highlighted systemic injustice, economic inequality, and the dehumanising effects of consumerism. His concern for the marginalised is not just rhetorical—he has met with prisoners, washed the feet of migrants, and advocated for the global south in international forums.

Pope Francis' concern for migrants and refugees is reflected in his statement, "It is hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help." According to him, "Homosexual people are children of God and have a right to a family." He tried to induct women into the administrative structure of the Vatican government. He once said, "God created both equal, men and women…. A society that is not capable of (allowing women to have greater roles) does not move forward."

His actions reflect the Gospel's consistent message: God stands with the poor, the oppressed, and the excluded. By speaking boldly about injustice, even at the risk of controversy, Francis calls for the Church to reclaim its prophetic role. Christian leadership must prioritise the least, the lost, and the last. It means standing in solidarity with those on the margins, even when it's politically inconvenient or unpopular.

When the Muslim community in India is targeted, excluded, invisibilised and persecuted by the RSS-BJP combine and the government, the Church leadership in India has to stand with the persecuted community instead of siding with the government.

Build Bridges, Not Walls
Francis has often spoken about the need for dialogue—between faiths, cultures, and communities. His approach to interfaith relations, especially with Muslims and Jews, has been marked by mutual respect and friendship. In 2019, he co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, promoting peace and coexistence.

Within the Church, Francis has worked to include those who have felt alienated—such as divorced and remarried Catholics, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those struggling with faith. While he upholds traditional Church teachings, he consistently emphasises accompaniment, listening, and discernment. The mission of the Church is not to build fortresses of purity but bridges of connection. Leaders must be willing to listen without judgment, seek unity without uniformity, and embrace complexity with love.

The Church leaders in India, who refuse to include women in the feet-washing ritual on Maundy Thursday because of their patriarchal mentality, do not seem to have learned anything from Pope Francis. They admire Pope Francis, but their actions are guided by a pre-Second Vatican Council mindset.

Focus on the Essentials of the Gospel
Francis often reminds the Church not to lose sight of what truly matters. He urges Christians to avoid becoming obsessed with doctrinal minutiae while neglecting core Gospel values like love, mercy, and justice. He has warned against turning the Church into a "museum of memories" instead of a living witness to God's love in the world.

His papacy has renewed focus on the joy of the Gospel and the call to evangelise—not just through words but through witness. Pope Francis was totally against any kind of fundamentalism, especially religious fundamentalism and ritualism. He called upon the faithful to return to the heart of the Gospel and the heart of the law—love.

Doctrinal and liturgical rigidity makes Church leaders intolerant and even inhuman. Church leaders in Kerala, who fight on the issue of offering the Holy Mass facing people or the altar, are far away from the Gospel and Jesus. At this juncture of Pope Francis' death, the leaders should be ready to give up their egos and come to an amicable solution and genuine reconciliation. It will be the best homage the Syro Malabar Church can pay to Pope Francis.

Care for Creation
Pope Francis brought ecological concerns to the forefront of Christian discourse with his encyclical Laudato Si'. He frames care for the environment as a moral and spiritual issue, not just a political or scientific one. He challenged believers to recognise the interconnectedness of all life and to live in harmony with creation. It was the first time an encyclical had been devoted wholly to ecology. Laudato Si' made Pope Francis a global spiritual leader transcending the boundaries of religion and faith.
By linking environmental destruction with economic injustice and social inequality, Pope Francis offered a holistic vision of stewardship that aligns with the biblical mandate to "tend and keep" the Earth. Church leaders should encourage sustainable practices, raise awareness of ecological issues, and lead their communities in caring for God's creation.

Be Open to Reform and Renewal
Francis has emphasised the need for continual reform within the Church. From financial transparency in the Vatican to more accountability in addressing the sexual abuse crisis, he understands that credibility requires concrete change. He often references the Second Vatican Council's vision of a Church always in need of renewal—Ecclesia semper reformanda.

He has also encouraged synodality—a way of being Church that values listening, participation, and shared discernment. The Synod on Synodality, which began in 2021, reflected this commitment to a more inclusive and dialogical church. The Church is not static; it must be responsive to the signs of the times. Leaders should be open to feedback, self-examination, and institutional change when necessary. Reform is not betrayal—it's fidelity to the Gospel.

The fundamentalist Church leaders, who reversed the liturgical, theological and ecclesial reforms initiated by the Second Vatican Council, need to rethink when the Indian Church is facing a huge challenge from the Hindutva forces. Hindu fundamentalism cannot be fought with Christian fundamentalism but by living the core values of Jesus. Pope Francis lived the values of Jesus: all-inclusive love, unconditional forgiveness, compassion, sensitivity, justice, respect for every human being and care for the Earth, our common home.

Pope Francis's papacy offered a timely and compelling vision of what it means to lead the Church today. His example calls for Church leaders to embrace humility, foster inclusion, prioritise the marginalised, and stay rooted in the essentials of the Gospel. While not without critics or controversy, his leadership reflected a profound faith in the transforming power of love, mercy, and grace.