The Pope's Perspective: Shifting Tides
Following Francis' departure: Could the Catholic Church shift towards conservative leadership?
In the grand tapestry of Vatican affairs, Pope Francis finds himself at the center, a champion of change in an institution steeped in tradition. Like his immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI (a.k.a. Joseph Ratzinger), Francis supports the principles of the Second Vatican Council, which aimed to renew the Church. However, their approaches diverge, with Francis championing progress, while Benedict underlined the importance of preserving the past.
The Latin Mass, a point of contention, serves as a prime example. Whereas Benedict expanded the possibilities for celebrating Mass in Latin, Francis is more inclined to move forward, scrutinizing communities that focus on this tradition as potentially undermining his authority.
Yet, the question remains — where and how to go? The Second Vatican Council left crucial doctrinal issues unaddressed, such as clergy celibacy, attitudes towards abortion and divorce, women in the priesthood, and same-sex marriages. In the 1960s, such matters were considered too explosive to tackle, potentially causing a substantial internal conflict.
Francis understands this, which is why he's been cautious during his pontificate, avoiding decisions that could risk causing a schism. Instead, he's shifted the Church's priorities to emphasize mercy, aid for vulnerable groups, and environmental concerns. Some conservatives view this as a revision of Catholic teachings, a downplaying of traditional moral themes.
Additionally, Francis promotes a more liberal pastoral practice, balancing condemnation of sinful actions with leniency towards those who commit them. For example, while he upholds the sanctity of life and opposes abortion, he does not object to giving communion to politicians who support it, such as Joe Biden. While he insists that marriage is between a man and a woman, he allows priests to bless same-sex couples, albeit outside the liturgy.
The film "Conclave" captures the importance of doubt for believers, mirroring Francis' approach, which embraces uncertainty even in the most unshakable principles. If doubts arise, then these principles lose their steadfastness.
The New Pope: A Matter of Strategy
The list of potential papal candidates, or "papabili," reveals that nearly a quarter of the cardinals could be elected. Instead of making predictions, it's more productive to consider the tactics of the cardinals involved in the selection process. Past conclaves have seen rivalries between liberals and conservatives, with each side forming powerful coalitions. In 1978, the liberals emerged victorious, while in 2005, the conservatives prevailed.
However, the dynamics of these coalitions vary. In 1978, the conservative leader, Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, was associated with plans for a fundamental revision of the Second Vatican Council's decisions. In contrast, in 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, though a conservative, supported the council's course.
The 2013 conclave was more complex, as Benedict XVI's unexpected resignation left conservatives without a clear candidate. In contrast, liberals agreed to endorse Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was acceptable to moderate conservatives and cardinals from outside Europe.
Now, the conservatives are looking towards Africa, where the clergy and faithful are generally less liberal than in Europe. An "African pope" could receive their backing, particularly if they can win the support of representatives from other continents, such as Asia and Latin America. One possible candidate is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but his political activism may pose challenges.
Liberals may favor an Italian cardinal with international connections, such as Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin or Archbishop of Bologna Matteo Maria Zuppi. However, the election outcome depends on the balance of power between conservatives and liberals, and it's possible that a compromise candidate could emerge who appeases most cardinals.
Insights
Clergy Celibacy
- Remains mandatory for priests in the Latin Rite, but discussions about exceptions for specific contexts, like married men in remote areas, are ongoing.
Abortion
- The Church maintains a strong stance against abortion, though Pope Francis shows compassion towards those who have had abortions.
Divorce
- The Church teaches that marriage is indissoluble, but Pope Francis introduced reforms to make the annulment process more accessible.
Admission of Women to the Priesthood
- The Catholic Church does not ordain women as priests, but Pope Francis has opened more roles for women in other Church ministries.
Same-Sex Marriages
- The Church does not recognize same-sex marriages, but Pope Francis encourages compassion towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
- The new papal strategies are likely to shape the renewal of politics in general-news, given Pope Francis' cautious approach, prioritizing mercy and addressing social issues over traditional doctrinal disputes.
- In the upcoming papal conclave, conservatism could potentially shift the tides, with cardinals from Africa emerging as potential candidates, such as Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, who might represent a more traditional stance opposing liberal views.
- Despite the potential election of a conservative pope, new strategies to reconcile traditional Catholic beliefs with modern concerns are likely to be fostered, following the approach of Pope Francis and his focus on compassion and leniency.
- The Second Vatican Council's unaddressed issues, including clergy celibacy, abortion, divorce, women in the priesthood, and same-sex marriages, remain central questions in papal conservatism discussions, shaping future strategies and potentially causing significant internal conflicts within the Church.
