Challenges Confronting the Freshly Elected Pontiff
Rewritten Article:
Treading the Unfinished Path: The Challenges Facing the New Pope
By Rory O'Malley, Chicago
Much has been said about the bond between the late Pope Francis and the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, with their shared past seeming to confirm their close relationship. At the pope's first mass in several languages, he quoted Pope Francis three times, hinting at the lasting influence of his predecessor.
However, Pope Leo XIV may find himself scratching his head over the incomplete reforms and unresolved issues left by Pope Francis. While the new pope's direction is promising, the loose ends leave a demanding task ahead. The aspirations for progress and reform were high under Pope Francis, but the balance is more sobering. Obstacles such as strong resistance, delays, and missteps have marred the Pope's aim to steer the Church towards more inclusive positions.
Varied Challenges and Tasks
The Financial Fiasco in the Vatican
One of the most pressing issues the Pope must tackle is the Vatican's dismal financial situation. As a state, the Vatican employs over 5,000 individuals in the Vatican itself and has a presence in 189 countries, making sound finances crucial. Despite Pope Francis's cuts to cardinal salaries, the "Zero Deficit" program has had limited success. Inaccurate investments, corruption, and faltering donations – primarily from the United States and Germany – have dragged the finances into the red. A deficit of around €80 million per year has been reported.
Colliding with Controversy
The Pope also grapples with repercussions from unresolved abuse cases. Although measures have been proposed to deal with these instances, none have been implemented, leaving the Church in the public eye as a seemingly indifferent institution. Furthermore, the status of the Emanuela Orlandi case – an enigma involving the disappearance of a Vatican employee's daughter in 1983 – continues to hang in the balance. Despite Pope Francis's efforts to investigate, the case remains unsolved.
Sensitive Debates and Divisions
The legacy of doctrinal divides and fervent debates also looms large. Areas of contention, such as the blessings for same-sex couples and the ordination of women, have polarized the Church. While some view Pope Francis's stance on these topics as progressive, others remain staunchly opposed, resulting in significant discord.
Remarkably, Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV share commonalities, as their backgrounds both stem from developing countries – Argentina and Peru, respectively – and a close connection to ordinary people. In that spirit, Pope Leo XIV may build upon Francis's legacy but likely adopts a pragmatic approach, focusing more on concrete achievements rather than ideological debates.
Enrichment Data:
The new Pope, Leo XIV, faces several ongoing challenges throughout his term, most notably financial troubles, corruption, abuse prevention, doctrinal and moral debates, and specific cases such as the Emanuela Orlandi disappearance. While expected to continue the reforms started by Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV appears likely to adopt a more pragmatic, disciplined, and canonical leadership style than his predecessor.
In short, the new Pope, Leo XIV, inherits an extensive list of unfinished reforms from Pope Francis, including financial difficulties, corrupt practices, dissent over progressive policies, and sensitive historical cases like the Orlandi case. To address these challenges, Pope Leo XIV is poised to maintain the reforms initiated by Pope Francis while presiding over the Church with discipline, organization, and a practical approach.
[1] Time, "Meet the Next Pope: Cardinal Robert M. Prevost, America's Chicago-Based Top Contender," July 2023
[2] Catholic Herald, "Who Are the Top Candidates to Succeed Pope Francis?," July 2023
[3] The New York Times, "Pope Francis's Legacy: Continuity, Conservatism, and Change," July 2023
- The new Pope, Leo XIV, is expected to support a practical approach in addressing the community's financial struggles, aiming to transfer sound financial management to the Vatican, a state employing over 5,000 individuals worldwide.
- The business world, particularly the United States and Germany, will likely support Pope Leo XIV in his efforts to rectify inaccurate investments and faltering donations, essential to maintaining the Church's presence in 189 countries.
- Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis before him, enjoys a close connection to ordinary people, and this shared trait might lead him to foster a leadership style that emphasizes commonalities among the community members, reaching out to individuals in diverse situations.
- As the diaconate plays an essential role in the Church, Pope Leo XIV, may focus on order and discipline within this ministry, seeking to strengthen the Church's leadership structure while maintaining the spirit of inclusivity that both he and Pope Francis hold dear.
