Revolutionising Roman Catholic Church: How Pope Francis won the hearts of people in 2015

Pope Francis, in a cheerful mood, gives the thumbs up at his weekly audience in Rome.Reuters

In many ways, Pope Francis has revolutionised the Roman Catholic Church and made it possible for people from all walks of life to find an affinity with it.

This year alone, he demanded equal wages for women, promoted a forgiving heart when it comes to women who have undergone abortions, and encouraged compassion for those couples who have been divorced or remarried. He even tackled climate change and urged world leaders to do something about it, according to NBC News.

But aside from all these things, just how did Pope Francis become known as the "People's Pope"?

His humility and down to earth nature has endeared him to countless individuals, even those who share a different faith.

When he had lunch with 90 inmates in a detention centre near Naples, Italy, he displayed an open heart when he asked the facility not to exclude gay and transgender inmates.

The pontiff also met up with a gay rights activist when he visited Paraguay, and this made him known as the first pope to publicly engage in a discussion with LGBT activists. Even though he strongly believes that marriage is solely for men and women, he has offered a welcoming stance to the LGBT community.

Pope Francis also likes to crack jokes. When it comes to online chatting, the pontiff admitted that he is a "dinosaur." Still, that did not stop him from engaging in an Internet "Hangout" with children who have disabilities in the United States, Argentina, India, and Spain. The children all got to ask him questions and share their hopes and dreams for the future.

During his September visit to Washington D.C., New York, and Philadelphia, Pope Francis once again did not shy away from technology since he welcomed selfies taken with some students.