There are many thoughtful writings and eloquent, profound testimonies about the spiritual legacy left by Pope Francis. The article aims to contribute a small part to Pope Francis’ legacy of moral theology, specifically a “Theology of the Incarnation.”
Studying Pope Francis’ speeches or issued documents, as well as the pastoral life itself committed to his last breath for his flock, I find striking in him a “theology of the Incarnation,” which expresses the meaning, reason, and expression of the mystery of the Incarnation. A theology that guides people so that they can be saved, close to people, touch people in all aspects of life, with joys, hopes, and also worries and pains of human fate, helping people to meet God Himself, to experience His love, and thereby becomes more and more true disciples of Jesus Christ- God incarnate.
A close theological approach, in everyday language: “the theology of the people”
For the Pope, theology is a transcendent subject, but at the same time it is open to the world and to humanity with its problems, its wounds, its challenges, and its potential. The Church is called to expand her tent, to go out, to the periphery of today, not only in a geographical sense but also to people with special contexts, such as young people, the poor, migrants, the marginalized, and the mental and physical prisoners. On this path, the Church is a community of missionary disciples who take the lead, support others, bear fruit, and spread joy. The Pope chose to prioritize the urgency of the ministry in reaching the existential periphery over the need to defend the doctrine against deviations after the Second Vatican Council. He developed a “theology of the people” that pays attention to the voice of the people. Therefore, the concept, style, and language he uses are simple and easy to understand in order to reach the simplest and most ordinary people of the Church of the world. He said: “Faith must be transmitted in the language of family, of those close to you, in love, in a language different from that of the brain! For example, one cannot convey faith by the Denzinger anthology. This anthology helps to understand faith, but is not suitable for transmitting faith.” “I like to share the ordinary, existential, simple but profound meanings of being children of God-invited to the feast of love with God Himself—and of friendship with our brothers and sisters in faith and with all of humanity.”
“Incarnate Theology”: “dwelling” among the people, associated with ministry
According to the Holy Father, the essence of theology is theology in a fundamental context, capable of reading and interpreting the Gospel in human realities, in diverse geographical, social, and cultural environments. Theology, in general, must bear the “pastoral imprint,” positioning itself in the service of evangelization.
Two prominent views in Pope Francis’ theological logic
Time is greater than space: space is framed and sliced like the current sky, while time is a process that has the characteristic of “becoming,” so it always contains openness, is difficult to understand thoroughly, and transforms like a mystery. So, the process moves us toward the future, encouraging us to move forward in hope. Life is a process of community rather than a slice of space. It is a process of transformation and creation through the action of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, instead of prioritizing space, which means stubbornly maintaining everything in the present and trying to control life according to a pre-planned plan, we need to prioritize time, which means welcoming life in its mystery.
The primacy of the whole over the part: look at the whole, not as a part. The apostles were very diverse, but when they received the Holy Spirit, they learned to give priority to the whole, that is, to God’s plan. We should not focus on the distinction between conservatives and reformers, rightists and leftists. If that becomes the criterion, we have forgotten the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to unite us, to harmonize us in our diversities. The enemy Satan wants us to turn our differences into opposition, into enemies and ideologues. It is time to pour out love on the world, to witness mercy, not to inculcate rules and regulations. Live in the present; the present is important, now, right here, and now is the right time to do good.
Grasping this perspective, we can open our hearts to understand and accept Pope Francis’ merciful pastoral suggestions, even though they are sometimes controversial. For example, Chapter Eight of Amoris Laetitia (AL) is a call to mercy and pastoral discernment in “irregular” marital situations, especially those who have remarried without an annulment of a previous marriage. The Holy Father uses three key verbs: guide, discern, and integrate, which are fundamental in addressing complex or unusual situations. The law of gradualness is necessary for pastoral care; the importance of discernment, norms, and the search for mitigating circumstances in pastoral discernment. He states that “the Church’s task is often like that of a field hospital”. Or there were the protests about the declaration Fiducia Supplicans(FS) issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with the approval of the Holy Father, which opened up the possibility of blessing couples in “irregular” situations, including homosexual couples. The Holy Father responded by emphasizing the existence of pastoral or spontaneous blessings that, “outside any liturgical context and form, do not require moral perfection to be received.” God blesses all those who are capable of being baptized. But then people have to enter into dialogue with God’s blessing and see what path God has for them. But we have to hold their hands and help them on this journey, not condemn them from the start.
The Holy Father refers to the “logic of pastoral mercy,” saying, “Sometimes we find it difficult to make room for God’s unconditional love in our pastoral activity. We put too many conditions on mercy, then we empty it of its concrete meaning and real significance. This is the worst way of preaching the Gospel” (AL 311). He understands morality in the context of an encounter with Christ, inspired by mercy, where the priority is the tender caress of Jesus’ mercy towards us -sinners, and thus a “new morality” is born – a response to mercy. The Holy Father sees this morality as a “revolution,” which is not a “giant effort of will,” but simply a response to the surprising, unpredictable mercy of God. This is the response to those who criticize Pope Francis, accusing him of weakening or confusing Christian morality.
Virtue Theology
Theology of Hope: Hope is another name for the virtue of hope, a theological virtue, linked to faith and charity. In many documents, such as the document Spes non confundit, hope does not disappoint, which opened the Holy Year 2025, the Holy Father speaks of hope as a solid and persevering virtue, strengthened by God’s love and grace.
Theology of Mercy: His last encyclical, Dilexit Nos, speaks of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—the place where we can find peace, healing, and our true identity. While theology often eliminates sentiments and emotions to the point of being indifferent and lacking humanity, spiritual practice solves what theology leaves unsolved in theory. A tender and loving heart like that of Jesus is needed in all areas. Mercy is the only reality that can unify all other realities. The heart is the only effective way to reconcile different ideas and desires in a community, enabling individuals to come together as brothers and sisters. Our hearts, united with the heart of Christ, will be able to work miracles in this world. The Sacred Heart of Jesus has the following characteristics: closeness, intimacy, accessibility, compassion and mercy. The Cross is Jesus’ most eloquent expression of love. Another characteristic of the Pope is his profound awareness of the sinful condition of humanity redeemed by Jesus Christ.
Tenderness as a revolution: According to the Holy Father, tenderness is at the heart of the Christian message, it is not just a feeling, but a decision, a way of life of a Church that lives the Gospel. It is a form of love that has become close and concrete. It is the language of God, and we need to learn this language. Tenderness is a great force of love, capable of transforming everything; it is the key to healing the world. No ideology, no technique, and no strategy can heal the human heart, heal the wounded world. Only love, only tenderness can heal.
Pope Francis has always sought to illuminate the issues of our time with the wisdom of the Gospel, offering answers in the light of faith and encouraging us to face, as Christians, the challenges and conflicts of this changing world.