The almost unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the appointment of Pope Francis have brought the world’s largest Christian church into a state of transition and renewal. Though he’s only been pope for a month, Francis has already brought his distinctly humble and frugal style to the Vatican, by and large delighting Catholics and non-Catholics worldwide who prefer his compelling humanity to the scholarly disposition of his predecessor.

“The first thing he he said when he became pope was ‘Pray for me so I can serve you,’” sophomore Dozie Nwaneri said. “This is a pope I can stand behind.”

While Pope Francis’ Argentinean heritage indicates increased globalization in the Church, his actions have done even more to expand the focus of the Church’s ministry.

During Holy Week, the pontiff brought the Lenten service of the Washing of the Feet to Italian prisons, where he washed the feet of the inmates in a traditional display of love and humility. He opened accessibility to the ceremony even further by washing the feet of two women, one a Muslim, in a Lenten ceremony that in the past has generally included only Christian men.

Senior Grace Albertson is pleased with Francis’ breaches of tradition. “Traditions are meant to be broken,” she said. “They’re meant to be made, and kept, but… things have been changing.”

Pope Francis has also spent the bulk of the past month focusing on the Church’s message of helping the poor and the needy.

These changes are not without their limits, as Francis has also indicated a commitment to preserving age-old Catholic doctrines. As he finished his transition into office, Francis customarily reaffirmed many of Benedict’s positions, including his opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion. He also renewed inquiry into on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an American nun organization whose leaders have rejected the Vatican’s positions on same-sex marriage and abortion.

While doctrinal changes will not be forthcoming in the foreseeable future, administrative reform will likely become a key tenant of Pope Francis’ legacy.

The Curia, the administrative wing of the Church, has become overly cumbersome, inefficient, and prone to infiltration, as was illustrated by the 2012 “VatiLeaks” scandal.

Junior Vittrio Orlandi said, “Hopefully [Pope Francis] will strain out some controversy that makes the church look bad.”

Pope Francis has already proven his capacity for spiritual guidance, but management skills might prove nearly as important.

Many Catholics look forward to reform. “I just hope he can unify the church more,” Nwaneri said, “bring peace and… unify us through these hard times.”

Albertson has similar hopes. “I hope the church can be… a place for more people to feel comfortable,” she said.

No matter what, it’s clear that Francis’ papacy will be an important time, and a turning point, in the history of the Church.