Despite failing health, Pope Francis initiates new reform process
By Dooyum Naadzenga
The Vatican City yesterday announced that Pope Francis has approved a new three-year initiative aimed at considering reforms for the global Catholic Church, signaling his intention to continue his papacy despite ongoing health issues,
Reuters reports that the Pope’s health issues include a battle with double pneumonia.
The pope has decided to extend the work of the Synod of Bishops, a key initiative during his 12-year tenure, which has explored various reforms. These include the potential for women to serve as deacons and enhancing the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals within the Church.
As part of this new process, the Synod, which previously held an inconclusive summit of bishops in October regarding the Church’s future, will now engage in consultations with Catholics around the world over the next three years, culminating in a new summit scheduled for 2028. The Vatican confirmed that Francis approved this reform process from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for over a month.
Speculation has arisen regarding the pope’s future, particularly given his extended absence from public life, with some wondering if he might follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, and resign.
Modernizing the Church
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has sought to modernize the Catholic Church, making it more accessible to contemporary society. However, his reform agenda has faced criticism from some quarters, including several senior cardinals, who argue that he is diluting traditional Church teachings on issues such as same-sex marriage and divorce.
READ ALSO: Group flays report against Senate Ethics C’ttee Chairman, Imasuen
Massimo Faggioli, a prominent academic and expert on the papacy, noted that this new reform process serves as a clear indication that Pope Francis remains committed to leading the Church’s 1.4 billion followers. “Francis’ pontificate is not over, and this decision he just made for what happens between now and 2028 will have an effect on the rest of it,” stated Faggioli, a professor at Villanova University.
Following the inconclusive summit last October, which did not produce any definitive reforms, questions arose about the sustainability of Francis’ papacy. Vatican officials indicated that he is still considering future changes and is awaiting a series of 10 anticipated reports on potential reforms due in June.
