What's happened
As cardinals prepare for a conclave to elect a new pope following Francis' death, speculation grows about the direction of the Catholic Church. Experts suggest that while Francis made significant changes in tone and approach, he did not alter core doctrines, leaving the next pope with a complex legacy to navigate.
What's behind the headline?
Key Considerations for the Next Pope
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Continuity vs. Change: The next pope may adopt a different style but is unlikely to overturn 2,000 years of doctrine. Experts believe that while Francis emphasized inclusivity, core teachings on issues like abortion and priestly celibacy remain unchanged.
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Challenges Ahead: The new leader will need to address significant challenges, including:
- The ongoing crisis of clerical sexual abuse.
- Declining church attendance in Europe, contrasted with growth in Africa and Asia.
- The role of women in the church, particularly regarding the diaconate.
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Expectations from Cardinals: With Francis appointing a majority of the voting cardinals, there is uncertainty about whether they will choose a successor aligned with his vision or someone who may revert to more conservative practices. The lack of distinct factions among the cardinals complicates predictions.
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Global Issues: The next pope will also need to navigate complex geopolitical issues, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where Francis' calls for peace have had limited impact. The new leader's approach to these matters will be closely scrutinized.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, experts like Francois Mabille emphasize that while Francis made institutional changes, he did not alter fundamental doctrines, suggesting that the next pope may bring a fresh style but not a radical shift in beliefs. The New York Times highlights that Francis' cautious approach left many reform-minded Catholics disappointed, particularly regarding women's roles and the church's stance on issues like birth control. Jason Horowitz from the New York Times notes that Francis' legacy is one of high expectations but limited doctrinal change, leaving a complex landscape for his successor to navigate. The upcoming conclave will be pivotal in determining the future direction of the Catholic Church.
How we got here
Pope Francis, who passed away recently, was known for his emphasis on mercy and humility. Despite high expectations for reform, he largely maintained traditional church doctrines, leading to mixed reactions among Catholics. His successor will face pressing issues like clerical abuse and the role of women in the church.
Go deeper
- What challenges will the new pope face?
- How did Francis change the Catholic Church?
- What are the expectations for the next pope?
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Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is the Holy See's independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. Vatican City became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty, and it is a distinct territory under "full ownership, exclusive domi
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Pope Francis is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Gregory
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The Catholic Church, sometimes referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2018.