Pope Francis' death leaves Catholic Church at a crossroads after he charted a progressive path
For Elijah Smith, who grew up Lutheran and Southern Baptist, Pope Francis' teachings centering on social justice and recognition of the marginalized helped to influence his decision to convert to Catholicism a year ago.
For Elijah Smith, who grew up Lutheran and Southern Baptist, Pope Francis' teachings centering on social justice and recognition of the marginalized helped to influence his decision to convert to Catholicism a year ago.
"He led by example," said Smith, 22, a college student from Rockwell, North Carolina, "and he was very accepting. Accepting of the LGBTQ community, accepting of immigrants and very understanding of different cultures."
But with Francis' death Monday at 88, the Catholic Church is at a crossroads: After 12 years of his leadership, does it continue on a progressive path to invigorate new followers with a message of inclusivity, or return to traditional roots at a time when some have yearned for church doctrine bound by conservative customs and liturgy?
Megan Mlinarcik, who was raised Catholic, said she hopes to "keep the tradition that's happened for hundreds of years" as a worshipper at a Latin Mass in the Pittsburgh area.
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