As Pope Francis turned 87, he marked a significant milestone in his efforts to reform the Catholic Church, despite health scares that raised questions about his future. Francis’s birthday was celebrated with cake and children during a festive audience at the Vatican, with banners in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly noon blessing.
The past year was a crucial one for Francis, who has been working to address financial irregularities within the Church. A Vatican tribunal’s verdicts and acquittals in a high-profile trial supported his efforts, with the biggest-name defendant, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, being convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.
Francis’s health has been a concern, with two recent instances of acute bronchitis forcing him to cancel major events. His respiratory health has been a long-standing issue, after part of one lung was removed as a young man. The hospital stays have raised questions about his ability to continue the demanding schedule of a modern-day pope.
Despite his health issues, Francis has remained committed to his reform agenda. This year, he has made progress on several fronts, including the appointment of a progressive theologian as the Vatican’s chief doctrine watchdog. Cardinal Victor Fernandez has issued decrees on various topics, including the care of cremated ashes and the membership of masonic lodges.
Francis has also taken steps to address criticism from conservatives, including the exiling of Archbishop Georg Gaenswein to Germany after a tell-all memoir was published following Benedict’s death. The pope has also removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his post in Texas and cut off Cardinal Raymond Burke, who had warned that Francis’s synod would risk dividing the faithful.
Pope Francis (Via Pope Francis/Twitter)
The death of Pope Benedict XVI in December has given Francis increased freedom to pursue his reform agenda, without the shadow of his predecessor. Benedict’s passing has removed the possibility of a handover, allowing Francis to accelerate his reforms without the need for compromise.
The synod on the future of the Catholic Church, which aims to make the Church more inclusive and responsive to the needs of laity, has been a major focus for Francis. The first stage ended with calls for greater inclusion, and the next phase is scheduled for October 2024.
Professor Christopher Bellitto believes that Francis is thinking about his legacy and wants to leave a lasting mark on the Church. He has already begun shaping his legacy by accelerating reforms and addressing criticism from his opponents.
As Francis marks his 87th birthday, he is likely to continue this trend, with his health issues remain a concern. However, his commitment to reform and his desire to leave a lasting legacy will drive him to push forward with his agenda.
Francis’s progress on reforms and his approach to criticism from conservatives have been significant over the past year. His efforts to make the Church more inclusive and responsive to the needs of laity are likely to shape the remainder of his pontificate.
In his desire to leave a lasting legacy, Francis is willing to take bold steps, including the appointment of progressive theologians and the removal of critics. His commitment to reform is evident, despite the challenges he faces.
As Pope Francis, 87, looks to the future, his legacy is already being shaped by his efforts to transform the Catholic Church. His health issues will undoubtedly remain a concern, but his determination to leave a lasting mark on the Church will drive him to continue pushing forward with his reform agenda.
Relevant keywords: Pope Francis, Catholic Church, reform, health, legacy, synod, inclusion, criticism, conservatives, progress.
