In his first weeks as Vicar of Christ, Francis chose to replace the traditional throne delegated to him in the Vatican for a simple white chair, positioned at the same height as those used by his guests.

The pope also has been quick to make adjustments to his mode of transportation. Francis delegated that all the bulletproof glass be removed from his “Popemobile” to allow for more interactions with his constituents.

Without touching on moral issues, the new pope’s adjustments to these personal assets have created an obvious contrast separating him from his predecessors.

But the backlash Francis has received by some Catholic traditionalists because of these changes doesn’t even compare to the amount he received after a controversial decision he made last week.

During a Maundy Thursday Mass at a Rome youth prison, Francis washed the feet of two women — an act never before performed by an individual in his position. Traditionally, popes have washed the feet of 12 priests during Mass in Rome’s St. John Lateran Basilica, a rite reenacting Jesus washing the feet of his apostles. In recent years, including women in this rite has become common in places such as Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Francis previously was cardinal.

But while these changes slowly have begun to characterize the early tenure of the new pope, they have retained the preference he has shown for holding a simple, humble approach to the papacy.

Despite adhering to many of the traditional beliefs embodied by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, Francis has the opportunity to steer the Roman Catholic Church more firmly into the future.

As an outspoken voice against gay marriage and ordaining women as priests, his beliefs don’t stray far from the customs rooted deep in the Catholic faith. But the social obedience he seems to possess toward other groups and cultures has the potential to speak otherwise.

At 76 years old, he is young compared to others who have overseen his post, and he could use this distinction to help the Catholic community.

As his community continues to observe a decline in church membership, as well as a decline in their overall reputation in the wake of recent sexual abuse scandals, Francis should use his non-traditional platform as a way to propel the Roman Catholic Church into the future.

Instead of viewing the washing of these women’s feet as a sign of not understanding the deep foundation his faith is built upon, perhaps others should see it as a sign of positive changes to come.

The fact that the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church would rather embrace these changes seems like a step in the right direction many Catholics should be excited for.