The Thorny Paths: The Upcoming Challenges for Pope Leo XIV
Challenges Confronting the Novel Pontiff
By Dexter Diggs, NYC
Pope Leo XIV, the brand-new leader of the Catholic Church, didn't inherit an easy gig, it appears. Francis may have lit a flame of hope, but not all embers caught. Here are the reforms, projects, and tasks left hanging by Francis, awaiting Pope Leo XIV:
The late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV seemed to share a close bond, if photos and words spoken in St. Peter's Square are any indication. Nonetheless, Pope Leo will occasionally scratch his melon - Francis left a tricky legacy. Not so much in terms of the direction of the new papacy, but rather the incomplete reforms and unfinished projects.
Stacked Agenda
In the daily newspaper "La Repubblica," citizen of the Vatican Giacomo Galeazzi lists the most pressing tasks lying before Pope Leo XIV: the Vatican's finances, which are drowning in red ink, and measures to squash corruption. Additionally, synodality - collective deliberation, decision-making, and progress of the Church institution - decentralization, and de-bureaucratization need addressing. Let's not forget precautions against abuse, i.e., pedophilia, the blessing of same-sex couples, and the diaconate for women.
These topics spurred a lot of resistance and discontent during Francis' reign, not just amongst cardinals and in Vatican palaces, but also in remote dioceses throughout Africa and Asia and their pastors.
Starting Fresh, Not a Francis II
The Financial Mess in the Vatican
Moreover, the Pope isn't just the spiritual head of the Catholic Church, but also the head of the Vatican State, overseeing a whopping administrative apparatus employing 5,000 individuals alone in the Vatican, with extensive presence in 189 countries. Finances, my friend, are the most pressing problem, as the annual deficit hovers around 80 million euros[1]. This, despite Francis slashing the salaries of cardinals three times in the past four years and implementing the "Zero Deficit" program to minimal effect.
The pension fund is presently standing at 650 million euros[1]. Causes include poor investments, sometimes even corruption, and the diminished contributions, mainly from the USA and Germany, which were previously the most generous donors. Perhaps this will change with a pope emerging from the USA.
The Elephant in the Room: Abuse Cases
Still, the elephant in the room is the need for measures applicable to all dioceses, but none to date have been implemented, leaving the Church with an impression that it isn't fully taking responsibility and pursuing each case with relentless determination[2].
The question remains: What is going on with the investigations into the case of Emanuela Orlandi? The 15-year-old daughter of a Vatican employee went missing on July 22, 1983[2]. Suspicions persist that the Vatican might be involved. However, it was only under Pope Francis that investigations were agreed upon, including those by the Vatican[2]. He appointed the Vatican's chief prosecutor, Alessandro Diddi, to handle the case.
The Divide: Same-Sex Couples
Another touchy subject is the deepening schism within the Church under Francis. For instance, those divorced and remarried can only receive communion in exceptional cases[2]. So, the real fuss came with the Vatican document "Fiducia Supplicans" from 2023, which allowed blessings for same-sex couples[2].
German cardinal and theologian Gerhard Ludwig Müller has consistently opposed these openings and is backed by many African and Asian believers[2].
A Question of Diakonia: Women
Finally, there's the matter of diakonia. Pope Francis raised expectations here as well, often emphasizing the importance of increasingly entrusting women with responsibility in the Vatican. During his last hospital stay, he appointed Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini as the head of the Vatican state government[2], assisted by Sister Alessandra Smerilli, an economist and member of the Daughters of Mary[2]. He also named Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla as the prefect of the dicastery for consecrated life and the apostolic life in January of this year[2].
These were steps taken, but the diakonia didn't materialize, despite the topic being frequently brought up. The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, described it as a fundamental and future-determining question.
Common Ground
As mentioned earlier, Francis and Leo XIV appear to share commonalities, especially in their interpretation of the Gospel. This means that Pope Leo XIV could very well follow in the footsteps of Francis, but he will approach things practically. Practicality appears to be one of the distinguishing characteristics that helped him get elected to the Holy See.
Sources
- [1] ntv.de
- [2] adnkronos.com
- Religion
- Vatican
- Women
- Sexuality
- Corruption
Enrichment Data:
Pope Leo XIV, who has recently assumed the papacy, faces numerous significant challenges in various domains. Here are some of the key issues he will be addressing:
Key Challenges
- Financial Crisis: The Vatican is facing a substantial financial deficit, with a budget shortfall of $94 million and an underfunded pension system. This poses a "ticking time bomb" that needs urgent attention[1].
- Corruption: Pope Leo will have to continue efforts to combat corruption within the Vatican, ensuring transparency and integrity in its financial dealings.
- Synodality and Decentralization: Implementing synodal processes and decentralizing authority can enhance participation and engagement among global Catholic community. However, this requires careful management to maintain unity and orthodoxy.
- De-bureaucratization: Streamlining the Vatican's administrative processes is essential to make the institution more efficient and responsive to modern challenges.
- Abuse Cases: Addressing clerical abuse and ensuring accountability remains a pressing issue that demands continued vigilance and reform.
- Orlandi Case: The longstanding case of Emanuela Orlandi's disappearance involves solving a decades-old mystery that has impacted the Vatican's reputation.
- Same-Sex Blessings: Navigating theological and pastoral responses to same-sex relationships will be a challenging task given the Church's stance and internal debates.
- Women's Diakonia: Expanding roles for women within the Church, such as through the diaconate, is a topic of ongoing discussion and potential reform.
Unfinished Tasks
- Climate Change and Environmental Issues: Maintaining momentum on environmental stewardship, as emphasized by his predecessor through Laudato Si’, will be crucial. Pope Leo XIV has a background in environmental advocacy, particularly given his experience in climate-vulnerable Peru[1].
- Global Financial Situation: Beyond internal financial challenges, Pope Leo XIV will need to navigate the broader global economic landscape while guiding the Church's responses to financial crises worldwide.
- Migration and Global Conflicts: The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, along with pressing migration issues, require sustained attention and leadership from the Vatican[1].
Implementing Solutions
To address these challenges, Pope Leo XIV will need to employ strategic leadership, fostering dialogue within the Church and with global leaders on both spiritual and temporal matters. Emphasizing accountability, transparency, and inclusivity will be essential in navigating these complex issues.
- Pope Leo XIV, the newly appointed leader of the Catholic Church, inherits a wealth of unfinished tasks left by Pope Francis, including the financial crisis in the Vatican, the need for measures to combat corruption, and the pursuit of synodality and decentralization.
- In the upcoming years, Pope Leo XIV will also face the challenges of addressing abuse cases, particularly the Emanuela Orlandi case, navigating theological and pastoral responses to same-sex relationships, and expanding roles for women within the Church.
- According to Giacomo Galeazzi, a citizen of the Vatican, these topics have spurred resistance and discontent throughout the Church, not just among cardinals and in Vatican palaces, but also in remote dioceses throughout Africa and Asia.
- As the new Pope, it remains to be seen how closely Leo XIV will follow in the footsteps of Francis or forge his own path on these contentious issues, leaving room for political maneuvering and setbacks in 2023 and beyond.
