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.