Candid conversations with Pope Francis

As the Catholic Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis at 88, the world remembers not just a spiritual leader, but a radical reformer who brought warmth, humility and bold truth-telling to the global stage.

Fondly called “Lolo Kiko” by Filipinos, Pope Francis died from a stroke and heart failure following complications from double pneumonia. His death marks the end of a transformative 12-year papacy that prioritized inclusion, intergenerational dialogue and the protection of creation.

In his final years, Pope Francis made rare but meaningful media appearances that captured the essence of his mission — to make the Church more human, more accessible and more rooted in love. These appearances offer profound insights into the mind and heart of a Pope who redefined what it means to lead with faith in the modern world.

‘Stories of a generation with Pope Francis’ (Netflix, 2021)

A dialogue between generations

Based on his book Sharing the Wisdom of Time, this Netflix documentary series was one of Pope Francis’ most intimate media engagements. It featured stories of seniors from different countries, capturing lessons learned from love, loss, work and resilience. Although the series included interviews with elders from various cultures, it was the Pope’s personal reflections that brought a unique gravitas to the series.

Here, viewers saw a more candid side of the Holy Father. He shared his love for tango, his childhood memories and his belief in the power of play in parenting. “Love is free, or it is not love,” he said. “When I hear confessions from young married couples, I ask them: ‘Do you play with your kids?’ That’s the key.”

His role in the documentary was deliberately minimal, as he requested not to be the focal point. Yet his words anchored the show in wisdom, humility and timeless faith.

The Pope Answers (Disney+/Hulu, 2023)

A pontiff in conversation with Generation Z

In a groundbreaking move, Pope Francis sat down with 10 Gen Z representatives in a raw and unscripted dialogue. The youth asked hard questions about abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, the role of women in the Church and the plight of migrants and refugees.

Pope Francis listened intently and responded with honesty — often diverging from tradition to embrace the reality of the world’s evolving moral and social landscapes. One of the most quoted moments came during a discussion about the Church’s inclusivity:

“Every person is a child of God. God does not reject anyone… The Church cannot close the door to anyone.”

He also revealed a deeply personal truth about his role as pope: “They don’t pay me! When I need money to buy shoes, I go and ask.” The simplicity of that statement mirrored his life philosophy: Detachment from materialism and radical trust in God’s providence.

Stories of a generation with Pope Francis (CBS, 2024)

A shepherd speaks to the world

In his final televised interview, Pope Francis sat down with CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell inside the Vatican. It was a reflective conversation that revisited his 11-year journey as Pope while confronting the global crises of war, climate change and migration.

On the horrors of conflict, particularly involving children, the Pope appealed to world leaders: “Negotiate. A bad deal is always better than an ugly defeat.” He clarified that the white flag, so often misunderstood, is a symbol of peace negotiations — not surrender.

He doubled down on his long-standing stance on migration: “Migration is something that makes a country grow,” he declared, challenging nations that build walls instead of bridges.

Addressing climate change, he issued a call to conscience: “To throw a plastic bottle into the sea… it makes the sea sick. It is a lack of conscience. We must purify nature again.”

When asked about his legacy, his response was profound in its humility: “The Church is the legacy. Not just through the Pope, but through you, through every Christian, through everyone.”

A papacy of presence

From St. Peter’s Square to the screens of Netflix, Disney and CBS, Pope Francis’ media appearances were never self-serving. Instead, they were intentional — crafted to reach hearts, stir minds and bring the Church closer to those who feel farthest from it.

In these moments, we saw a leader who embraced the world not from a gilded throne, but from the margins — in conversation with the young, in solidarity with the elderly, and in communion with all of humanity.

Pope Francis once said, “We are all brothers and sisters.” Through his words, actions and witness, he lived this truth to the very end.