Throughout his papal leadership, Pope Francis solidified recently established Vatican conventions by visiting 10 African countries, reinforcing engagements made by his predecessor

“Pope Francis should be remembered as a post-colonial pope who acknowledged the intertwined histories of ecclesial, political, and socio-economic forces shaped by modernity,” Ilo told Crux. He also discussed the reforms Francis introduced to the Church, the values he championed, and the qualities the next pope should embody.

Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for more than 12 years and became a global symbol of humility, compassion and reform, died Monday.