As Pope Francis continues to navigate the final chapter of his papacy, reflections on his life, mission, and lasting legacy are stirring deep emotions — not just among millions of Catholics around the world, but within his own family. According to reports close to the pontiff’s relatives in Argentina and Italy, recent conversations about his impact on the world have brought many to tears — not out of sorrow, but immense pride and awe.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis has always been known for his humility, simplicity, and fierce commitment to the poor and marginalized. From the very moment he stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2013 as the newly elected pope — refusing the red mozzetta and opting instead for plain white — the world knew this would be a papacy unlike any other.

But for his family, watching his transformation from the quiet priest who once rode the bus in Buenos Aires to the global spiritual leader known for shaking up centuries of tradition has been nothing short of emotional.

“He never forgot where he came from”

“He never changed. Even now, when we speak, he asks about the family, about the neighborhood. He remembers the names of everyone from childhood,” said a cousin of Pope Francis during a recent television interview in Argentina. “But to see him embraced by the world… it’s overwhelming. My mother cried when she heard the pope quoting their grandfather in a speech. We all did.”

Francis’ personal history — as the son of Italian immigrants growing up in a modest home, as a young man who once had dreams of being a chemist, and as a spiritual leader shaped by Jesuit discipline — has made his papacy deeply human. His family says this humanity is what makes them emotional. He did not seek power or prestige. Instead, he accepted one of the most powerful roles in the world only to use it to bend the arc of the Church toward mercy, inclusivity, and justice.

A Legacy of Compassion

Pope Francis’ legacy includes groundbreaking efforts to open the Church’s doors wider than ever before. From embracing LGBTQ+ individuals with messages of respect and love, to washing the feet of Muslim refugees, to his unwavering stance on climate change and economic injustice — the pope has built a legacy of radical compassion.

“He always says, ‘Pray for me,’ not ‘Look at me,’” said one of his nieces. “That humility is what makes us cry. He never wanted fame. But look at what he did. Look at what God did through him.”

His 2015 encyclical Laudato si’ marked a turning point in how the Vatican approached climate responsibility, linking spiritual duty with environmental stewardship. In his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, he challenged the Church to approach divorced and remarried Catholics not with punishment, but with pastoral care. And in recent years, Pope Francis has shown a willingness to engage with previously untouchable topics, including the role of women in the Church and the need for transparency on sexual abuse scandals.

A Private Farewell?

Although Pope Francis has not made any official announcements about stepping down, there is increasing speculation — fueled by his health concerns and his own openness to papal resignation — that the end of his time as pope may be near. He has said in past interviews that resigning is a possibility “if the Lord tells me to.”

Those closest to him say he’s more focused on finishing what he started than on legacy. But his family sees things differently.

“We see his legacy in every child he kissed, every person he hugged, every wall he tried to break down,” a relative shared. “We don’t need statues. We have those moments. That’s why we cry.”

A Global Family

Beyond his biological family, Pope Francis has also become “Papa Francesco” to millions across continents — a spiritual father whose words have comforted, challenged, and inspired. His calls for interfaith dialogue, his embrace of the differently abled, his denouncement of war, and his calls to global leaders to choose peace over politics — all have made him a pope of the people.

As one Catholic faithful in Nairobi put it, “He made us feel seen. He didn’t speak down to us. He sat beside us.”

And perhaps that is the most powerful part of his legacy. Not the speeches or the encyclicals, but the quiet example: the pope who carried his own bag, who lived in a guesthouse instead of the papal palace, who insisted that shepherds must “smell like the sheep.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Whether or not Pope Francis retires in the near future, one thing is clear: his legacy is already sealed in the hearts of millions — and it is deeply personal for his family.

“When he first became pope, I worried it would change him,” one cousin said. “But now I see — he changed the papacy instead.”

And that, more than anything, is what has brought tears to their eyes.