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Pope Francis, a leader known for steering the Catholic Church toward mercy and care for the marginalized, often to the point of controversy, has died at the age of 88. The church that he leaves behind is remarkably different from the one he was first elected to lead. In his nearly 12 years as the highest spiritual authority to more than a billion people, Francis loosened official attitudes around divorce, de-emphasized conservative sexual morality in favor of preaching the moral urgency of caring for migrants and the Earth, instituted broad reforms to the church government, and made overtures to LGBTQ Catholics, approving blessings for same-sex couples. But many observers believe that Francis will not necessarily be remembered primarily for his progressive actions. Instead, experts said, his legacy may be related to something even more unprecedented: his identity as the first Latin American pope. Slate writer Molly Olmstead chronicles the Pope’s tenure, and his legacy. 
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