Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, was renowned for his progressive approach to leading the Catholic Church, making development issues a core part of his agenda.
The leader of about half the world’s Christians was outspoken on issues of climate justice, economic inequality, and migration. He was, after all, the first pope from the global south — or, at least, the first born outside of Europe for many centuries — having been raised in Argentina by Italian parents who had fled fascism in their homeland.
His approach to development was defined by a radical critique of the global economic system, a belief in the interconnectedness of people and planet, and a drive to empower those at the margins.
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About the author
Jessica Abrahams@jiabrahams
Jessica Abrahams is a former editor of Devex Pro. She helped to oversee news, features, data analysis, events, and newsletters for Devex Pro members. Before that, she served as deputy news editor and as an associate editor, with a particular focus on Europe. She has also worked as a writer, researcher, and editor for Prospect magazine, The Telegraph, and Bloomberg News, among other outlets. Based in London, Jessica holds graduate degrees in journalism from City University London and in international relations from Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals.
