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As Catholics worldwide mourn the passing of Pope Francis, , a professor of sociology and expert in Catholicism, shares insights about the legacy of Pope Francis, the changes he brought to the Catholic Church, the traditions and rituals that will take place to choose a new pope and what this all means for the future of the church.

鈥淔rancis鈥檚 papacy has been highly distinctive and deeply impactful鈥攈is humility, respect for people of all means and his casual way of speaking about complex issues have shifted the church鈥檚 focus.鈥�

What does Pope Francis鈥檚 death mean to Catholics?

鈥淭he passing of the Pope Francis will be an important and reflective time in the Catholic Church,鈥� says Dillon, who is the dean of the . 鈥淔rancis鈥檚 papacy has been highly distinctive and deeply impactful鈥攈is humility, respect for people of all means and his casual way of speaking about complex issues have shifted the church鈥檚 focus. It will be interesting to see whether the conclave will vote for someone who aligns with Francis鈥� sensibilities of ensuring an inclusive Catholic Church that is dynamically attuned to the diverse realities of modern day.鈥�

Dillon points out that as the first non-European pope since the eighth century, the听88-year-old听pope made the church more visible while also making the papacy more accessible to Catholics and non-Catholics around the world. It was important to him to simplify his papacy making a series of changes including residing in a modest apartment in the Vatican guest house and not in the traditional Apostolic Palace.

What is Pope Francis鈥檚 legacy?

鈥淔rancis, who wasn鈥檛 without controversy especially among the bishops, has consistently amplified and extended the church鈥檚 long-standing emphasis on social justice with its focus on the dignity and well-being of each individual,鈥� Dillon says. 鈥淗e has shown tremendous openness to the realities of Catholics鈥� personal lives, particular to the circumstances of LGBTQ and divorced and remarried Catholics.鈥�

How will a new pope be chosen?

The centuries-old ritual of electing a new pope will begin when a conclave of cardinals from around the world will gather at the Sistine Chapel to elect Frances鈥檚 successor.

鈥淔rancis has appointed a large number of diverse cardinals, so it is statistically probable that someone with his openness could be elected,鈥� says Dillon. 鈥淏ut whomever is chosen, once in the role, the new pope will have to consider and balance an array of doctrinal and institutional priorities that may lead to him assume views that may not necessarily align with his views as a cardinal or bishop.鈥澨�

Dillon has written extensively on Catholicism and has been especially interested in the institutional and cultural processes that enables Catholics who selectively disagree with aspects of Catholic teaching to remain loyal to Catholicism. She also has examined the political engagement of the Catholic Church, and of other churches and activist organizations, in public moral debates in different western countries. She was recently awarded the听听for contributions to the Catholic intellectual tradition. Some of her books include 鈥淧ostsecular Catholicism: Relevance and Renewal鈥�, "American Catholics in Transition鈥�, "In the Course of a Lifetime: Tracing Religious Belief, Practice and Change鈥� and "Catholic Identity: Balancing Reason, Faith, and Power鈥�.

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