Readers respond to Question of the Week: What will legacy of Pope Francis be?

His sense of humility and simplicity to the church

Pope Francis brought a sincere sense of humility and simplicity to the church that went beyond living in a simple apartment away from the Vatican. He criticized high church officials for putting on “airs” of royalty — that their behavior should be that of simple parish priests. He spoke simple truths clearly, i.e., “Who am I to judge?” As Pope Francis appointed a clear majority of present cardinals under 80 years of age, so I believe Francis’s successor will have very similar attitudes and beliefs.

— James L. Mulvihill, San Bernardino

I feel the Pope was a true man of God

I have my reservations about the Catholic Church, but this particular Pope Francis, well, I thought he was very special. I once saw him comfort a little boy who had just lost his father. The boy was very distraught, and Pope Francis urged the youngster to come to him, and he personally talked with the boy in a gentle and humble manner for several minutes. Anyone watching could say he was the real deal, a true man of God. I’ll never forget that.

— William Stremel, South Pasadena

His devotion to the people

What can one say about a Godly man who devotes his life to his faith and to his people and in spite of his importance rides around in a modest two-door Popemobile and lives in a two bedroom apartment. But maybe more admirable is how he devoted himself to those who were not really his people. He visited both Muslim countries in Arabia and Indonesia as well as Buddhist ones like Myanmar and Mongolia.

The Christian Bible teaches that God’s love for all of us is maybe his most important attribute. It seems to me that Pope Frances tried to model that. And finally it is being reported that he will be most remembered for his “Who am I to judge?” comment. That’s good advice for all of us!

— David Ward, Anaheim

Pope Francis’s legacy

Pope Francis, an advocate for the people, will be remembered for his recognition of the issues that hurt our societies and the stance he took to bring these issues to light.

— Breana Sanchez, Montclair