MANILA — Pope Francis will leave a "very important" legacy in the world, according to Catholic Media Network president Fr. Francis Lucas.

Lucas, who served as the spokesperson for the media committee for the 2015 visit of Francis to the Philippines, said the late pontiff will leave a legacy anchored on unity, service, mercy, and compassion.

"Part of that is don't be judgmental, only God will finally decide where you are going," Lucas told ANC.

The Argentine pontiff died at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican almost a month after leaving hospital following five weeks battling double pneumonia. 

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Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic world and the first from the Americas.

He took over from Benedict XVI — the first pontiff since the Middle Ages to step down — and cut a sharply different figure from the German theologian.

A football-loving former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis sought to forge a more open and compassionate Church.

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Throughout his papacy, he championed the poor, campaigned for action against climate change and emphasized love over doctrine, famously saying of gay believers, "who am I to judge".

His views riled Church traditionalists, while his outspoken opinions often clashed with those of politicians.

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