THE pontificate of Pope Francis marked a significant transformation in Catholic Church based on the opening to dialogue, reforms and emphasis on social issues.
The teacher, historian and theologian Gerson Leite de Moraes explains to CNN that Francis adopted a more progressive stance to raise the importance of the church in the 21st century.
However, with his eventual succession, the new Pope will face complex challenges, both in the spiritual and political and social sphere.
Understand the demands of the pontiff better
Since its election in 2013, Francis He made important pronouncements and influenced global issues, often defending peace, justice and human rights.
Theologian Gerson Leite de Moraes recalls that Francis Career began as a clergyman at Argentina With a more conservative stance and as he was gaining posts within the Church adopted a progressive profile.
“When he reached the condition of Pope, Francis adopted a much more open, much more progressive stance, dialoguing with conservative sectors of the institution and trying to put the Catholic Church as a relevant player in the 21st century,” says the professor.
“This means discussing issues of sexuality, concentration of wealth, environmental issues, climate change, which are extremely relevant themes,” he adds.
THE Pope Francis He stood out for a welcoming style, seeking to respond to the demands of the 21st century. However, progressive attitudes on topics such as climate change, social inequality, and migrant welcome generated both applause and resistance within the church itself.
The teacher explains that Francis also promoted a significant renewal in the Cardinal College naming religious from peripheral regions and with pastoral profile aligned with your thinking.
“This choice represents an attempt to broaden the representativeness of the church, but it can also directly influence the election of its successor,” he adds.
Next porridge You should deal with the expectation of continuing Francisco’s legacy or promoting a break toward a more conservative profile.
Moraes also explains that internal polarization between progressive and conservative groups puts the conclave in a dilemma: opt for a Pope who keeps the line of Francisco or choosing a leader more focused on doctrinal orthodoxy.
In addition, the geographical origin of the new pope It can also be a strategic decision. He states that on the one hand the choice of Francis A Latin American Pope strengthened the global representativeness of the Church.
A return to a European Pope could signal a political and spiritual strengthening of the continent, especially amid recent geopolitical tensions.
Church in times of transformation
Sociologist Francisco Borba explains to CNN that “the more the Pope is recognized as the one who defends the good of all and the moral and spiritual elevation of humanity, the greater his influence.”
“But when he and/or the church to which leads are contradictory and focused on corporate interests, their influence decreases,” he adds. This means that for the pontiff to be a popular figure. “It must somehow be shocked by the powers of your time.”
Thus, one of the main challenges of the new Pope will be to maintain the relevance of Catholic Church Faced with a society increasingly critical of traditional morality.
The question of sexual abuse committed by clergy for example, Moraes explains, continues to haunt the institution’s image, requiring firm and transparent measures to rescue the trust of the faithful.
The Pope as a diplomat
According to the teacher, from the political point of view, the figure of the porridge transcends spiritual leadership since he is also the head of Vatican status exerting global diplomatic influence.
The choice of a pontiff with strong political presence can be seen as a strategy to strengthen the position of the Church In an international scenario marked by conflicts and power disputes.
“The new Pope will need to face the challenge of internal unity, between the most conservative sectors and those who support a more open and progressive approach,” he says.
Thus, a challenge for the next leader r would be to dialogue with both sides and promote reconciliation without abandoning the fundamental principles of catholic faith .
In short, according to the expert, the next porridge will have the task of balancing the maintenance of the Francisco’s legacy with the need to respond to new social and spiritual demands.
The choice of your profile will reflect not only a theological orientation, but also a geopolitical strategy and a vision of the future of Catholic Church .
“Whatever the chosen path, the figure of the new pontiff will have to face a world scenario full of challenges and opportunities,” Moraes concludes.
This content was originally published in know what will be the challenges of the next Pope of the Catholic Church on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
