All the pope’s women: How Francis’ legacy is shaping the next chapter of the church

How Francis' legacy is shaping the next chapter of the Church for women

ROME (OSV News) — While much of the world’s attention is on what will happen in the Sistine Chapel and the men who will choose the church’s next leader starting May 7, the enduring legacy of Pope Francis is seen in the women whose voices helped shape — and carry forward — his vision. There is “no indication concerning the gender” of those who would help with the conclave “for their professional assistance,” Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican …

All the pope’s women: How Francis’ legacy is shaping the next chapter of the church

Pope Francis' decision to include women in Vatican governance is a significant legacy -- and a reminder of pivotal roles these women have played in the papacy.

ROME — While much of the world's attention is on what will happen in the Sistine Chapel and the men who will choose the church's next leader starting May 7, the enduring legacy of Pope Francis is seen in the women whose voices helped shape — and carry forward — his vision.There is “no indication concerning the gender” of those who would help with the conclave “for their professional assistance,” Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office…

At a time of intense transformation and international conflict, the election of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church generates great expectation. The death of Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, left a reformist legacy, such as the blessing of same-sex couples, the forgiveness of women who had abortions, who were previously excommunicated, and the recognition that the Church should be ashamed to ask…

"Francis leaves behind a Church on the move where consecrated women, indigenous peoples, migrants, prisoners, and the most vulnerable find a place and a voice. Today, those footprints continue to mark paths of closeness, prophecy, and synodality," writes Sister Helga Leija on her blog, in which she compiles the testimonies of several religious women: the "fertile seed that Francis sowed on the paths of consecrated life in Latin America."

Pope Francis promoted female talent and became a referent. From the beginning of his administration, he bet to open spaces of greater participation for women within the decision-making structures of the Vatican. So he appointed women in key and high-ranking positions where there had been only men before. This is how Pope Francis made inclusion of women. Francis showed that female leadership is not only a matter of equity, but a need to build mor…