## Vatican City’s Biggest Level Up: Pope Francis Exits, New Challenges Await
After a whirlwind 12 years leading the Catholic Church through turbulent times, Pope Francis has passed the torch. His papacy, a virtual quest filled with calls for social justice, environmental awareness, and a more inclusive church, has left its mark on the world. But like any epic RPG, the story doesn’t end with the hero’s retirement. The Vatican City gaming world awaits its next leader, and the challenges are no less daunting.
The Divide Between Traditionalists and Progressives
Anonymous Letters Criticizing Pope’s Governance
In 2022, a letter circulated among Vatican officials, criticizing Pope Francis’ “disastrous” pontificate and outlining what a new pope must do to correct the “catastrophe” he had wrought. The letter’s author was later revealed to be Australian Cardinal George Pell, who had grown increasingly disillusioned with Francis’ papacy. Pell signed the letter with the pen name “Demos” – the common people.
Last year, another anonymous letter circulated, signed by “Demos II.” It resumed where Pell left off, denouncing what it called Francis’ “autocratic, at times seemingly vindictive style of governance; a carelessness in matters of law; an intolerance for even respectful disagreement; and – most seriously – a pattern of ambiguity in matters of faith and morals causing confusion among the faithful.”
The Role of Synodality and Listening to the Faithful
Francis emphasized inclusion and “synodality,” or listening to the faithful, and cracked down on traditionalists by restricting their celebration of the old Latin Mass. While the conservatives may not have enough votes to elect one of their own, a new pope will have to try to restore unity.
The polarization is keenly felt in the United States, where anyone using social media can challenge the Vatican or even the local church’s perspective, said professor Steven Millies of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Such forms of communications “can have a narrative of what Catholicism is that doesn’t come from any ordained minister, from any bishop, and can, night after night, the world over, suggest that the pope is wrong,” he said.
The Need for Unity and Restoration
The new pope will have to address the expectations of women for not only a greater say in church governance but greater recognition. As Maria Lia Zerbino, an Argentine named by Francis to advise the Vatican on bishop nominations, a first for a woman, said, “We are the great majority of the people of God. It’s a matter of justice. It’s not an achievement of feminism, it’s in the church’s interest.”
Women’s Ordination Conference, which advocates for female priests, goes further. “The exclusion of women from the conclave, and from ordained ministry, is a sin and a scandal,” it said. Gervase Ndyanabo, a lay leader in Uganda, said there should be more participation of the laity and women in the administration of parishes and decision-making at all levels. Progress, he said, has come “at a snail’s speed.”
Clergy Sexual Abuse and Other Unfinished Business
The Ongoing Scourge of Clergy Sexual Abuse
While many church leaders would like to think clergy sexual abuse scandals are in the past, survivors and their advocates want the new pope to address it as a top priority. Francis and his predecessor, Pope Benedict, addressed the issue, but much work remains to be done.
The role of survivors and advocates in shaping the Church’s response is vital. They will continue to push for greater transparency, accountability, and justice for victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Conclusion
Pope Francis’s papacy, marked by a focus on social justice and environmental concerns, leaves the Catholic Church at a crossroads. The article highlights the unfinished business he leaves behind, including the ongoing sex abuse crisis, divisions within the Church regarding social issues, and the need for greater transparency and accountability. Francis’s progressive stance on issues like climate change and LGBTQ+ rights has sparked both praise and controversy, leaving the next pope to navigate these complex and deeply felt matters.
The selection of the next pontiff will be crucial in determining the future direction of the Catholic Church. Will the next leader continue Francis’s progressive path, or will they steer the Church towards a more traditional stance? The challenges ahead are immense, requiring a leader capable of fostering unity, addressing the wounds of the past, and guiding the Church through a rapidly changing world. The eyes of millions are now turned towards the Vatican, waiting to see how the Catholic Church will respond to these pressing issues and chart its course for the years to come.
This pivotal moment in Church history begs the question: will the next pope rise to the occasion, uniting the faithful and ushering in a new era of hope and renewal, or will the challenges prove too great, leaving the Church fractured and adrift? Only time will tell.
