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New Statesman
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Statesman
Pope Leo XIV's centrist papacy
Photo by'May peace be with all of you' were the opening words of Pope Leo XIV. This was the least interesting thing about his first appearance on the balcony above St Peter's Square, just after 6pm on 8 May 2025. Of far greater note was his attire. When the late Pope Francis was elected as spiritual leader of the Catholic Church in 2013 his dress was conspicuous in its humility. Gone was the papal ermine and gold embroidery, the religious maximalism of his predecessor Benedict XVI. Instead, Francis preferred a plain cassock. He swapped out a throne for a wooden chair, too. In those early minutes of his papacy, the normcore Argentinian Jesuit shifted the entire tone of the office: this is a Church committed to the poor and the lay. If we are supposed to read so much into godly vestments, and I suspect Francis wanted us to, then Pope Leo XIV is heralding another vibe shift. As the first ever American to lead the Vatican (born in Chicago in 1955) he blessed the 40,000 strong crowd and made a call for global unity. But Leo XIV looked far more like a pope of the old model than Francis ever did. Red, gold, finery – and all that. Given the task he faces, and that old mandate from heaven, this is precisely what he needed to do. The Holy See is a divided place – the liberal Francis clashed bitterly with conservative rivals and he had a reputation for private spikiness. Ahead of this week's conclave some cardinals were anxious that the new pope would need to unite the institution between its competing traditions, to offer a salve to a tense atmosphere. But there seemed to be equal appetite for a papacy that furthered the happier parts of Francis's legacy: his modernising lilt, his ability to reach out to those in the margins, his concern for the poor. Cardinal Robert Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV – was touted as the man who could do both, who could bridge the ideological gap, who could be a continuity and a change candidate at the same time. His clothes and speech made exactly that case: I look like Benedict, I sound like Francis. When Pope Francis was elected, the liberals in the church were exultant. This would signal the end of an old idea: after the trenchant conservatism of Benedict XVI and John Paul II, in Francis they saw a Pope willing to adapt to the demands of the secular 21st century, to wrest Catholicism out of decline. Francis was open open to debating the values of the Church, willing to push the needle on questions of homosexuality and abortion, sceptical on the primacy of Latin mass. Prevost is more moderate – particularly on questions of doctrine – but still considered a reformer in the Franciscan model when it comes to social issues. 'Fat pope, thin pope' is a Catholic adage that describes the trend in conclaves to counterbalance the preceding pope's ideological emphases with new ones. That is not quite what has happened here. The election of Pope Leo XIV is a gentle gesture to the importance of moderation, not an ideological handbrake turn (the most radical thing about the appointment is that he is American). After all this handwringing about the battle between liberals and conservatives, it was the centrists at the gate after all. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe [See more: Pope Francis's divided house] Related
Times
26-04-2025
- General
- Times
Pope Francis funeral: With sad hearts, the faithful said farewell
Pope Francis, an Argentinian Jesuit priest who rose from obscurity to be chosen for the papacy in 2013, was buried on Saturday after a funeral mass that attracted hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the world. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals who presided over the service, said in his homily that while the faithful were gathered for the ceremony 'with sad hearts' they were also 'sustained by the certainty of faith, which assures us that human existence does not end in the tomb, but in the Father's house, in a life of happiness that will know no end'. The crowd, which filled St Peter's Square and flowed down to the River Tiber, numbered more than 250,000, according to the
ABC News
25-04-2025
- ABC News
Unique encounters and experiences everyday people had with Pope Francis
Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jackson, and then Pope Francis. Gary Seddon has come across a few famous faces as CEO of Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea's national airline. But interacting with the pope when he visited the Pacific Island nation last year was "particularly memorable and remarkable". "There was an opportunity for the crew and I to spend a few precious moments with the pope during the flight," Mr Seddon told the ABC. " It's absolutely true and fair to say that he had a unique ability to connect with everyone. " Seddon (front centre) said Pope Francis was very generous with his time speaking to the Air Niugini crew. ( Supplied ) In the 12 years of his pontificate, Francis visited 68 countries, often travelling to remote regions of the world. Similar stories have emerged from locals in various countries, describing his energy, enthusiasm, and the lasting impression he left. The Pope's Apostolic Nunciature — the equivalent of an embassy for the Holy See in a foreign country — was among Air Niugini's company accommodation. "He would drive past all of our flight attendants, our engineers, our crew and their families every day," Mr Seddon said. " His window was always down and he was always shaking hands with everybody that went past. " Air Niugini cabin crew meeting Pope Francis after his three-day visit to Papua New Guinea in 2024. Although he never made it to Australia, many Catholics across the country say their lives were touched by the pope. And for some, it was in very unique ways. Ahead of the pope's funeral on Saturday, they shared experiences of how Francis left a personal impact. Wagga Wagga to Lisbon pilgrimage Photo shows Pope Francis acknowledges the crowd as he arrives for his Inauguration Mass on March 19, 2013 in Vatican City. The leader of the Catholic Church Pope Francis has died. The Argentinian Jesuit oversaw one of the most tumultuous periods in the Church's modern history. It was August 2023, and Lisbon was in the middle of a sweltering summer. Gerry Letchford had travelled all the way from Wagga Wagga in inland New South Wales to meet the pope in the Portuguese city. And he was so close. Mr Letchford, who was 21 at the time, was in his hotel room desperately trying to recover from the flu. "I could hear the pope's voice on the loudspeakers outside my room," he said. " I'm like, 'Oh no, I'm missing it!' " Gerry Letchford described his experience with Pope Francis as "powerful". ( Supplied ) Mr Letchford joined more than 350,000 young pilgrims from 200 countries in Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023. The now 23-year-old is a Catholic seminarian — a student undergoing training to become a priest. He described the event as a week-long "carnival of young Catholics", with talks, worship, and time to get to know the city and other pilgrims. But, most importantly, there were chances to meet the pope. Pope Francis meets with World Youth Day volunteers in Alges near Lisbon, during World Youth Day 2023. ( Reuters: Guglielmo Mangiapane ) The 86-year-old was often moving among the crowds, and took part in several events. He even joined in parties at the camp-out on the final night, before retiring to his hotel. Mr Letchford was struck by Francis's vibrancy and "piercing, mystical" presence. "He had the energy of a bull ant," he said. But it was his words that left the biggest impression. Thousands of young people camped out ahead of the final mass at World Youth Day 2023. (JMJ 2023: Sebastião Roxo) The pope gave a sermon at the closing vigil to a crowd of thousands. Mr Letchford said it had the excitement of a Taylor Swift concert, with fans eagerly trying to reach the front of the stage. Francis began reading from his notes, but then went "off script" to deliver his message to "love one another". "He said, 'Whenever you're looking down at someone, make sure it's because you're bending down to pick them up,'" Mr Letchford recalled. "I was actually going through something personal at the time … It felt like he was speaking directly to me. " I'm going to carry that with me the rest of my life. " Mr Letchford visited Jerusalem on his pre-pilgrimage to World Youth Day. ( Supplied ) A special letter to LGBTQ+ Australians It came as both "a surprise and a delight" when Acceptance, an Australian LGBTQ+ Catholic group, received a hand-written letter from Pope Francis last year. It was sent to congratulate the group on its 50th anniversary. The letter, which was translated from Spanish to English, read: "At this time of your anniversary, I am sending you happy greetings. "And I pray that every year, you grow closer in love with our Lord Jesus Christ. "Please pray for me, because I need your prayers. And I also ask you to pray for a naughty nun named Jeannine." The copy of the message and translation that Pope Francis wrote for Acceptance to mark the group's 50th anniversary. ( Supplied ) The correspondence came via Sister Jeannine Gramick, an American nun who has worked with the Catholic LGBTQ+ community since 1971. She had a relationship with Francis and joked about his reference to her in the letter. "You see, he has a very good sense of humour," she said. Tim Blackburn, a member of Acceptance Perth, said it was an honour to hear from the pope, describing the letter as a "unique gift". Photo shows A man sitting in a church with his hands together and head resting on them. Australian Catholics have paid tribute to Pope Francis at mass on Tuesday morning around the country. "Not many parishes would have any correspondence like this at all," he told the ABC. "For a minority group it's quite an honour to receive such a letter. It makes it feel like someone is hearing us." Cam, a member of Acceptance Melbourne, said at the time that the letter reinforced the pope's "genuine concern for those marginalised in the church". "His welcoming, pastoral and caring interaction with LGBTQ+ people, extending back to his time as archbishop and cardinal in Argentina, is a powerful signpost," he said. Tim Blackburn said the hand-written letter was a "unique gift". ( ABC News: Tabarak Al-Jrood ) The Catholic Church has a long history of being opposed to homosexuality. But Francis was known to Speaking to journalists on a plane returning from Brazil in 2013, he said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" Mr Blackburn said those words helped change the tone. "He has really opened doors for many of us and his emphasis on being a church for the people — inclusion of everyone including those who are excluded — has really been felt," he said. He said safety mechanisms were now in place to help open up the way the church interacts with LGBTQ+ people. The pope's hand-written message to Acceptance came as a surprise to the group. ( Supplied ) A day for remembrance The body of Francis has been displayed in an open coffin in St Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City, where a funeral mass will be held on Saturday, local time. Some devoted Australian Catholics are making the long pilgrimage across continents to pay a final farewell. Crowds of up to 250,000 people are expected to Mr Letchford will be staying in Griffith, in regional NSW, where he is currently based and there is a large Catholic community. Although there has been a sadness since the pontiff died on Monday, he said it was a time to reflect on his positive impact. "The best thing we can do is remember everything he said and take it 10 times more seriously because he's not here to say it again," Mr Letchford said. The body of Pope Francis in an open casket during the rite of the declaration of death. ( Reuters: Vatican Media ) Mr Seddon said they have been mourning the loss in Port Moresby over the past week, but he was "deeply grateful" to have met the pope. "To have listened to him personally as he toured the region … it was a truly special time," he said. "From our New Guinea family, our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to all of those people who are mourning his passing around the world."
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Pope Francis did more to elevate women than any other pope. Will his successor cement or narrow his reforms?
For centuries, it was believed that in the Middle Ages, a woman who was particularly astute and talented disguised herself as a man and rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church until she eventually became pope. For two years, it was said, Pope Joan led the church, until her gender was shockingly discovered during a procession and she was stoned to death. This was spoken of from the 13th to the 16th century, when writers began to query the lack of evidence, though some historians claim to have now gathered some While mounting a horse. Gave birth. Just popped out a baby, mid-air. Find me one woman who has ever given birth whilst hopping onto a horse and I'll tell you the name of the next pope. I understand people's fascination with the story, though; so fierce and enduring has been the church's tamping down of any suggestion of full equality for the women in their midst. Nuns have been disciplined, sisters hushed, laity forbidden from speaking about women priests, for challenging the idea that because Jesus's apostles were male, all priests must always be. Photo shows Pope Francis acknowledges the crowd as he arrives for his Inauguration Mass on March 19, 2013 in Vatican City. The leader of the Catholic Church Pope Francis has died. The Argentinian Jesuit oversaw one of the most tumultuous periods in the Church's modern history. There's good reason women get impatient with the institutional church. A century or so after being granted the right to vote, several decades after they began occupying the highest political positions in the world — Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher — the pace of change in the Catholic Church remains, to an outside eye, glacial. With the passing of the widely admired Pope Francis, and the soon-to-be-seen spectre of 130-odd men dressed in scarlet robes gathering to vote for their next leader, we are reminded yet again of the complete absence of women in the upper echelons of the church, in rooms where decisions are made that will impact even the most intimate parts of their lives. This is despite the fact that Francis did more to elevate women than any other pope, often angering traditionalists in his ranks by doing so. As a cardinal, he had washed the feet of a young mother in a maternity hospital. As pope, he washed the feet of two women in a juvenile detention centre, one of them a Muslim. This practice is a holy ceremony based on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples; for 200 years the Pope had only washed the feet of men. To include women was quietly radical and startled conservatives. He also Why won't the church rethink the place of women? Importantly, Francis appointed more women to influential positions in the Vatican than any of his predecessors. Earlier this year, he made a religious sister the head of a department and appointed the first female president of the Vatican City State's government. He included women in the world 2024 Synod, and 57 had voting rights. He refused, though, to talk about the possibility of women in the priesthood, and has repeatedly blocked the ordination of women deacons, saying "not now". Amongst Catholic intellectuals, the debate about women has centred on the diaconate — it remains frowned upon to even discuss women being made priests (John Paul II actually forbade any mention of it). Deacons, whilst on the lowest rungs of clergy, are the entry point to clerical status, and would implicitly possess some decision-making ability. In the Catholic tradition, jurisdiction is the authority granted to individuals to govern or lead within the church. To lead, you most usually need to have been ordained — with a few exceptions of abbesses in the Middle Ages, and the early church female diaconate. All the while, a growing number of people in the pews have been wondering why a church with thinning clerical ranks won't rethink the place of women. In Nuns attend a rosary for Pope Francis at the Vatican following his death. ( Reuters: Guglielmo Mangiapane ) More specifically, in 2024, a Pew Research Center Not long after Francis was elected, the Pontifical Council for Culture's annual assembly In 2021, a worldwide listening session on the future of the church instituted by Francis and called Synod on Synodality began. In February this year, the National Catholic Reporter Many have questioned whether the presence of more women higher up in the church could have punctured cultures of impunity when it came to child abuse years ago. But Francis has insisted: "The fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation because her place is much more important." But Francis also admired what he called "feminine genius", even if he caused some The Vatican remains overwhelmingly male When asked to explain opposition to women becoming priests, he often cited two principles: the "Marian", which means that women, like Mary, are meant to serve the church in a motherly role, and the "Petrine" which means that men, like Peter the Apostle, are given the duty of ordained institutional leadership. He was also seeking to de-clericalise the church and to decentralise authority. He devised a way to usher in more women by allowing people who were not priests to have more senior roles. At the local level, he allowed women to become Photo shows Pope Francis grinning while wearing white robes and a silver Catholic cross chain and waving with his left hand Speculation is swirling about who could be the new leader of the Catholic church. But the secretive nature of papal elections means it's hard to pick a single frontrunner. In 2022, he reformed the Roman Curia's constitution, formally separating the power of governance in the Vatican from sacramental power (the power bestowed on a man by holy orders). In other words, this separated administrative work from priestly work, which enabled him logically to appoint women to functional roles previously only held by male cardinals and bishops, whilst refusing to contemplate a woman might ever have the sacramental power of a cardinal or bishop, let alone deacon or priest. Francis openly praised women's efficiency in government and finance. In 2010, women formed 17 per cent of Vatican employees, and Still, the Vatican remains overwhelmingly male, and feminists shrugged off these changes as marginal, pointing to the fact that women are still locked out of rooms where the most important decisions are made. As Benedictine nun and high profile author Joan Chittister wrote in a Pope Francis touches an icon of the Virgin Mary after reciting the holy rosary at the St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome in May 2013. ( AP: Gregorio Borgia ) "The call for women in official positions at higher echelons in the church is promised — but ignored," Chittister wrote. "Women have nothing to do with the theological commissions where decisions are made that affect the spiritual lives of their half of the church." They have nothing to do with the choice of the next pope, or the core decisions about marriage, contraception, divorce, sexuality, abortion — about what it means to live in a woman's body. Many millions are grieving the loss of the much-loved pope who worked until his last moments, who lived humbly and eschewed the trappings of high office, who continued to serve when infirm and in pain, who spent his final days addressing the faithful at Easter, calling for the ceasing of war in the Middle East, and meeting with the American vice president, a man whose immigration policies he had been sharply critical of. (In an open letter to American bishops, Francis Loading Here lies the rub Pope Francis steered the church away from a focus on sin to a focus on suffering, and whilst many conservatives protested what they saw as his liberalism, he softened the image of the church, and tried to portray it a place of healing, tenderness and understanding. He powerfully described the church as a field hospital, a place where the wounded should be bound, the sick cared for, the migrants housed, the lost embraced and the marginalised heard, before any other matters be addressed. But The truth is that women are the poorest of the poor. Men have paid jobs; few women in the world do. Men have clear civil, legal and religious rights in marriage; few women in the world do. Men take education for granted; few women in the world can expect the same. Men are allowed positions of power and authority outside the home; few women in the world can hope for the same. Men have the right to ownership and property; most of the women of the world are denied these things by law, by custom, by religious tradition. Women are owned, beaten, raped and enslaved regularly simply because they are female. And worst of all, perhaps, they are ignored — rejected — as full human beings, as genuine disciples, by their churches, including our own. Our own — here lies the rub. Recent revelations of poor treatment of women inside the church caused considerable alarm — and resentment. In 2019, historian Lucetta Lucetta Scaraffia quit her job as editor-in-chief of Women Church World in 2019. ( AP: Domenico Stinellis ) This is not entirely fair — in 2021 sociologist Maria Lia Zervino The next year, Francis promoted her, electing her as a member of the Vatican's And, as The question today for those who wish women to exercise their full talents in the church is whether Francis's successor will continue, cement or narrow his reforms. The likes of Chittister and Zervino will be watching carefully. For now, any suggestion that there could be a scenario whereby, scandalously, someone other than a man could become pope, will need to turn to fictional Hollywood films such as Conclave, or dust off the myths of history. Juila Baird is an author, broadcaster, journalist and co-host of the .
AU Financial Review
21-04-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
A pope who gave hope for saving the planet
When Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the balcony of St Peter's Basilica on the night of his election in 2013, he did more than introduce himself as a man 'from the end of the world'. He signalled a new era. In choosing the name Francis, honouring the saint from Assisi who spurned wealth and embraced the marginalised, this Argentinian Jesuit underscored a lifelong commitment to the poor and a deep desire to reform the Church from within.
