As Catholics worldwide mourn the death of Pope Francis, it is probably a moment for many who admired the pontiff to reflect on his legacy.

His ascension to the papacy heralded many firsts. He was the first Pope from the Americas or the Southern Hemisphere.

He was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the throne of St Peter. Jesuits were historically looked on with suspicion by Rome.

Many leaders across the world celebrate the pontiff’s humility, service to the poor and marginalised as well as ecumenical cooperation.

Through his papacy, he established relationships with those of other Christian faiths and religious beliefs, and with non-believers.

As Pope, he made great efforts to heal the thousand-year rift with the Eastern Orthodox Church. For the first time since the Great Schism of 1054, the Patriarch of Constantinople attended the installation of a new Bishop of Rome.

During his election, he represented himself as a compromise candidate: appealing to conservatives with orthodox views on sexual matters while attracting the reformers with his liberal stance on social justice.

It was hoped his unorthodox background would help rejuvenate the Vatican and reinvigorate its mission.

He was determined to favour humility over pomp and grandeur. He shunned the papal limousine and insisted on sharing the bus taking other cardinals home.

He cultivated a reputation as a man of simple tastes, eschewing many of the trappings of a senior cleric. He usually flew economy and preferred to wear the black gown of a priest – rather than the red and purple of his new position.

In his sermons, he called for social inclusion and criticised governments that failed to pay attention to the poorest in society.

The pontiff also endeavoured to preach peace in conflict areas such as Sudan and the Middle East.

Pope Francis brought the Israeli President Shimon Peres and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas together to pray for peace in 2014. He also invited South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar to the

Vatican, where he kissed their feet and implored them to make peace.

It is unfortunate that the two are currently at war, with the conflict triggering a humanitarian crisis.