US EditionThe Catholic Church after Pope Francis
- Pope Francis, who died recently, shifted the Catholic Church's direction towards more liberal policies, including the decentralization of power and support for same-sex couple blessings, but these changes faced controversy and may be reversed.
- The next pope could maintain Francis' legacy of a church focusing on the Global South while facing challenges from declining numbers in North America and Europe.
- The Catholic Church is witnessing a decline in North America and Europe, while it is growing in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, with a key legacy of Francis being a focus on the Global South.
- Women remain underrepresented in church leadership despite their significant presence in the Catholic community, with a 2022 survey showing that 70% support full inclusion at all leadership levels.
11 Articles
11 Articles
How will the next pope change the Catholic Church?
Pope Benedict was an ardent defender of Catholic traditions. Pope Francis, who died Monday, chose a more liberal direction. Which way will the church, famously resistant to change, move under his successor?"Papal successions are not like presidential transitions," said Anthony Faiola and Michelle Boorstein at The Washington Post. New popes do not "openly set about undoing the legacy" of their predecessors. But much can change in "style, emphasis…
I have decided to write these lines as a continuation of my column entitled “Succession in the Catholic Church?” published a few weeks ago in this same space of SDP news. Pope Francis’ death on Monday morning has relived the debate about the near future of the universal Church. As it has transcended, the beginning of the conclave will take place in two weeks, which will be the center of the attention of world public opinion. Speculation has begu…
Catholic reform groups mourn the death of the Pope and pay tribute to his achievements. They expect his successors, but an ecclesial right turn is to be feared.
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Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
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