On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio did not only became the 266th pope, he also became the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit pope. He chose the name Francis after Francis of Assisi, a figure known for his benevolence to the poor. At that time it was unknown how much Pope Francis would do to alter the papacy, but people all over the nation have quickly been finding out.

Pope Francis has been named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” he has been on the cover of Rolling Stone and his popularity on Twitter is growing.

So why is the media seeking to know more about this “Bishop of Rome”?

First, he’s unique in comparison to previous popes. Rather than residing in the beautifully adorned Apostolic Palace per tradition, Pope Francis has decided to live in a room in a Vatican clerical guesthouse. In addition, he determines his own wardrobe. He could have chosen some of the more flashy Papal apparel, but Francis prefers a simple white vestment. He has also used a more recognizable, casual dialogue in comparison with the most formal dialogue used by previous popes.

The second reason for the pope’s media attention is that he’s bringing radical changes to the Vatican. An article by The Telegraph, an online news site in the United Kingdom, states there is “speculation that Francis wants to end the ban on divorcees who remarry receiving Holy Communion, but that ‘traditionalists’ have already issued a public warning against any change to the Church’s 2,000-year teaching that marriage is for life.”

In addition, he has invited people to be a part of this conversation. An article on QUORA.com explained how the pope gave an order to the Office of the Synod of Bishops to disperse a questionnaire to “Catholic laity to understand their thoughts on marriage, contraception, divorce, and same-sex marriage.”

He’s altering the Church hierarchy in an effort to provide a more open environment. Pope Francis ordered a cabinet of eight cardinals to draw up a new Vatican constitution to allow for this. Furthermore, the pope is making it vital that the Church have a previously agreed-upon budget to handle some of the financial mismanagement that has come to light in previous years.

The third reason for the pope’s popularity is his emphasis on mercy and simplicity, the focus of his recent tour in the United States. Pope Francis has a 95% approval rating among Catholics in the United States. This is an exceptional percentage.

Noemi Mejia, a sophomore graphic design major, said that he is “one of the best popes we’ve had” and values “his sense of humor and humility towards the people.”

Mejia encourages students and faculty to follow him on Twitter.

Pope Francis’ life calls for a mercy that is wrapped in action. He has said that God demands justice in the world through mercy given to the underprivileged.

In the recent meeting with Bishops at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, Pope Francis said, “a Christianity which does little in practice, while incessantly explaining its teachings, is dangerously unbalanced.”

His life is the embodiment of simplicity, as he repeatedly chooses to do as Jesus would. With this said, one wonders if he really is “renovating” the Vatican, or if he is returning to values at the core of Catholic tradition.

He has washed the feet of women, prisoners, and Muslims on the Catholic “holy Thursday,” which violates liturgical rules that say only men can have their feet washed on that day. In November of 2013, Pope Francis embraced and prayed over a man with a disfiguring disease and numerous facial tumors. The image touched hearts all over the world.

Pope Francis gave a speech to the U.S. Congress as part of his recent tour. He encouraged Congress by telling them that, “building a future of freedom requires a love of the common good.” In the same speech, Pope Francis said, “A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of religion, an ideology or an economic system while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms.” In this way, he is encouraging Congress to serve the public interest as they govern.

It appears as though Pope Francis is living up to the name he has chosen for himself. His focus on mercy and his determination to mend the things that have shamed the Vatican in the past makes him a radical symbol for change. His life emphasizes simplicity and humility. The United States has witnessed this firsthand though both his speeches and his actions during the recent tour. It is my hope that he has inspired others to seek after Jesus just as he has inspired me.