(NewsNation) — As the Vatican prepares for the burial of Pope Francis and the election of a new pope, others are discussing the legacy that he leaves behind.

Pope Francis‘ views diverged from those of his more conservative predecessors, and he became the first pope to address a joint session of the United States Congress.

Joe Donnelly is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and saw the pope’s influence on American politics firsthand.

“The Holy Father was focused on taking care of the poorest of the poor, the marginalized,” he said. “We worked together on those kinds of things, on programs to help those in need.”

Donnelly said the pope’s work was an example to those around him of the love of Jesus Christ.

“He was focused on the poor and the marginalized and tried to reach out to those who were struggling,” Donnelly said. “I think that’s how he served in his papacy.”

He noted that after speaking to Congress, he immediately headed to a food pantry to help distribute food to those in need.

“His view was always how does this make life better for every one of us?” Donnelly said,