Latest news with #Curia
Observer
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Pope takes message of dialogue, unity to the Curia
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV took his message of building bridges and promoting dialogue to the Roman Curia on Saturday, in his first audience with members of the Catholic Church's governing body. The late Pope Francis had sometimes difficult relations with the Curia and Vatican officials, accusing them early in his papacy of "spiritual Alzheimer's" and a lust for power. The new pontiff, the first from the United States, said on Saturday that his inaugural meeting was an opportunity to say thanks for all their work. "Popes come and go, the Curia remains," Leo told the audience of officials, staff and their families in the Vatican's vast Paul VI hall. He repeated his first words from St Peter's Basilica when he became pope on May 8, where he urged people to "build bridges" and to welcome "with open arms, everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love". "If we must all cooperate in the great cause of unity and love, let us try to do so first of all with our behaviour in everyday situations, starting from the work environment," the pope said. "Everyone can be a builder of unity with their attitudes towards colleagues, overcoming inevitable misunderstandings with patience and humility, putting themselves in the shoes of others, avoiding prejudices, and also with a good dose of humour, as Pope Francis taught us." From decentralising power and increasing transparency to providing greater roles for lay people and women, Francis implemented several reforms of the Roman Curia. But his criticism left a lasting impression among many officials, and he also drew accusations of being too authoritarian in his governance, regularly bypassing the administrative bodies of the Holy See. In 2024, the Vatican also saw an unprecedented strike by around 50 employees of the Vatican Museums over their working conditions. The pope spent two decades working in Peru but for the past two years was head of the Vatican department responsible for appointing bishops worldwide.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Leo XIV can reorient Vatican diplomacy away from Russia and China and toward the West
The new pope, Leo XIV, greeted his new flock from the Vatican loggia with a traditional Catholic greeting: 'Peace be with you all! … I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.' Traditionally, peace is the most important goal of the Vatican diplomacy. But Leo's understanding of it will likely be very different from that of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Pope Leo was elected as a compromise candidate because the leading candidate, Vatican secretary of State Pietro Cardinal Parolin, was damaged by actions of the Chinese government, which exploited vacancy on the papal throne to appoint two new bishops in China without Vatican approval. The 2018 agreement, negotiated by Parolin, stipulated that such nominations had to be approved by the Vatican. Since the Chinese government deliberately damaged its greatest ally in the Vatican, it is doubtful that that the new pope will extend this agreement after it expires in three years. The next most powerful candidate, Luis Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, suffered a vicious attack just before the conclave that he is a habitual gambler. This attack, which might be completely spurious, seems to have knocked him out of the running. The choice devolved to aggressively promoted radically progressive candidates and more conservative ones, but none received the sympathy of the majority. Attention turned to Robert Prevost, who was supported by Latin Americans. He was a follower of Francis in his emphasis on pastoral activities and championing of the poor but also supported traditional liturgy. He had management experience in the Curia as prefect for church bishop nominations and as a general of the Augustinian order. He possessed a calm, cautious and balanced personality. When some conservative cardinals signaled that he was acceptable to them, a breakthrough occurred that led to his quick election. The question arises whether his American background was taken into consideration in the election. Even though he was born and educated in the U.S., he is culturally Latin American and was championed by Pope Francis and fellow Latin American bishops. Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York said in a television interview that he never considered him a U.S. cardinal and only met him for the first time in Rome. Nevertheless, his U.S. birth will likely influence his policies. Latin Americans are often anti-American and with natural sympathy toward Russia. Leo XIV will not likely share such prejudices, since he is American and likely to share basic values of freedom, rule of law and free markets as a result of his U.S. education. This will have two major consequences in relations with Russia and with the U.S. Immediately after the conclave, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to Pope Leo with a wish to continue previous 'constructive dialogue' with the Vatican. But what was this constructive dialogue when Francis's 2016 meeting with Russian Patriarch Kirill in Havana was such a disappointment? Kirill, having promised to work for peace, instead betrayed Francis and became involved in championing the war as an adjunct to the Russian government. Francis felt compelled to bury his criticism of Russia due to his diplomatic obligations. But Pope Leo is not a party to Francis's declaration with Kirill. He is likely to be more outspoken and critical on the question of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. As far as relations with the U.S. are concerned, it seems that the main conflict between the Trump administration and Francis was the social issue of illegal immigration. Vice President JD Vance was the last public person to meet with Francis to discuss it with him. Even though Leo is promising to be as active as Francis in championing social issues threatening the dignity of the human person, such as poverty and exclusion, he announced at this Sunday's greeting that he considers threats posed by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to be most important in today's world. It is possible that he will find common positions with the American government on such concerns. Further, his American background might be useful to revitalize the American Catholic Church and solicit American donations for the Vatican's troubled budget. If he is to succeed, he must not be too confrontational toward American Catholics, who voted for President Trump by a large majority and support his policies. As Francis's funeral demonstrated, with its global delegations of royalty and national leaders, the Catholic Church retains its moral authority in the world. Its voice still matters. Today, the majority of Catholics reside in poor countries of the so-called Global South, and this is where its voice is heard most clearly. Francis's anti-American rhetoric and compromise Ostpolitik toward Russia and China indicated papal support for certain neutrality toward them and for policies of confrontation with the West. But Russia and China treated the Vatican instrumentally and used it as a fig leaf for their aggressive policies. It is unlikely that the Vatican will continue this course. Abandonment of discredited Ostpolitik toward Russia and China and of the anti-American bias in Vatican policy will lead to a chance to align the new pope with the West — not only in Ukraine but also in the Global South in general. This would be a significant step toward peace in the world. Lucja Swiatkowski Cannon, Ph.D., is a senior research fellow at the Institute of World Politics in Washington and a strategist, expert and author on Eastern Europe, Russia and U.S.-East European relations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Leo XIV can reorient Vatican diplomacy away from Russia and China and toward the West
The new pope, Leo XIV, greeted his new flock from the Vatican loggia with a traditional Catholic greeting: 'Peace be with you all! … I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.' Traditionally, peace is the most important goal of the Vatican diplomacy. But Leo's understanding of it will likely be very different from that of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Pope Leo was elected as a compromise candidate because the leading candidate, Vatican secretary of State Pietro Cardinal Parolin, was damaged by actions of the Chinese government, which exploited vacancy on the papal throne to appoint two new bishops in China without Vatican approval. The 2018 agreement, negotiated by Parolin, stipulated that such nominations had to be approved by the Vatican. Since the Chinese government deliberately damaged its greatest ally in the Vatican, it is doubtful that that the new pope will extend this agreement after it expires in three years. The next most powerful candidate, Luis Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, suffered a vicious attack just before the conclave that he is a habitual gambler. This attack, which might be completely spurious, seems to have knocked him out of the running. The choice devolved to aggressively promoted radically progressive candidates and more conservative ones, but none received the sympathy of the majority. Attention turned to Robert Prevost, who was supported by Latin Americans. He was a follower of Francis in his emphasis on pastoral activities and championing of the poor but also supported traditional liturgy. He had management experience in the Curia as prefect for church bishop nominations and as a general of the Augustinian order. He possessed a calm, cautious and balanced personality. When some conservative cardinals signaled that he was acceptable to them, a breakthrough occurred that led to his quick election. The question arises whether his American background was taken into consideration in the election. Even though he was born and educated in the U.S., he is culturally Latin American and was championed by Pope Francis and fellow Latin American bishops. Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York said in a television interview that he never considered him a U.S. cardinal and only met him for the first time in Rome. Nevertheless, his U.S. birth will likely influence his policies. Latin Americans are often anti-American and with natural sympathy toward Russia. Leo XIV will not likely share such prejudices, since he is American and likely to share basic values of freedom, rule of law and free markets as a result of his U.S. education. This will have two major consequences in relations with Russia and with the U.S. Immediately after the conclave, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to Pope Leo with a wish to continue previous 'constructive dialogue' with the Vatican. But what was this constructive dialogue when Francis's 2016 meeting with Russian Patriarch Kirill in Havana was such a disappointment? Kirill, having promised to work for peace, instead betrayed Francis and became involved in championing the war as an adjunct to the Russian government. Francis felt compelled to bury his criticism of Russia due to his diplomatic obligations. But Pope Leo is not a party to Francis's declaration with Kirill. He is likely to be more outspoken and critical on the question of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. As far as relations with the U.S. are concerned, it seems that the main conflict between the Trump administration and Francis was the social issue of illegal immigration. Vice President JD Vance was the last public person to meet with Francis to discuss it with him. Even though Leo is promising to be as active as Francis in championing social issues threatening the dignity of the human person, such as poverty and exclusion, he announced at this Sunday's greeting that he considers threats posed by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to be most important in today's world. It is possible that he will find common positions with the American government on such concerns. Further, his American background might be useful to revitalize the American Catholic Church and solicit American donations for the Vatican's troubled budget. If he is to succeed, he must not be too confrontational toward American Catholics, who voted for President Trump by a large majority and support his policies. As Francis's funeral demonstrated, with its global delegations of royalty and national leaders, the Catholic Church retains its moral authority in the world. Its voice still matters. Today, the majority of Catholics reside in poor countries of the so-called Global South, and this is where its voice is heard most clearly. Francis's anti-American rhetoric and compromise Ostpolitik toward Russia and China indicated papal support for certain neutrality toward them and for policies of confrontation with the West. But Russia and China treated the Vatican instrumentally and used it as a fig leaf for their aggressive policies. It is unlikely that the Vatican will continue this course. Abandonment of discredited Ostpolitik toward Russia and China and of the anti-American bias in Vatican policy will lead to a chance to align the new pope with the West — not only in Ukraine but also in the Global South in general. This would be a significant step toward peace in the world. Lucja Swiatkowski Cannon, Ph.D., is a senior research fellow at the Institute of World Politics in Washington and a strategist, expert and author on Eastern Europe, Russia and U.S.-East European relations.
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gordon Campbell: On The New Pope, And The Israeli Attack On Peter Davis
The election of any Pope tends to be retro-fitted in ways that make the choice seem inevitable. God's will, no less. If the new Pope had been Italian ('Time for the papacy to return home!) or a staunch conservative ('Time for a balance to the liberalism of Francis!') then much the same process would be taking place. It seems apparent that Cardinal Robert Prevost looks to have been a protege of Francis, who made him a cardinal in 2023. This was in the wake of the 2022 Curia reforms that de-centralised power, and elevated the role of bishops' conferences in particular.
Kuwait Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Diplomacy, abuse, and rifts: Pope Leo XIV's challenges
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV faces an array of challenges, from disputes over the place of women in the church, the Vatican's financial woes and the ongoing clerical child abuse scandal. After the death of the late Pope Francis, the then-cardinal Robert Francis Prevost said there was 'still much to do' within the Church. 'We cannot stop, we cannot go back,' he added. Unity Uniting a divided church by making peace between the Church's conservative and liberal wings will be one of his main tasks. The speed of his election — in barely 24 hours — augurs well for broad support from the College of Cardinals. But he will have to perform a delicate balancing act regarding Francis's legacy. During his 12-year papacy, Francis often riled traditionalists, particularly in the United States and Africa, with his efforts to open up the Catholic Church. The issue of 'synodality' — the involvement of Church actors at all levels in decisions of policy — will also be central. Sexual abuse Francis brought in measures to combat sexual abuse, from opening up Vatican archives to lay courts to making it compulsory to report abuse to Church authorities. But victims' associations say he did not do enough, and the issue remains a major challenge for the Church, with the scandals showing no sign of abating. It will not be an easy one to solve. In many African and Asian countries, the subject remains taboo. Even in Europe, Italy has yet to launch an independent investigation into abuse allegations. Diplomacy As well as being leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope is the head of the tiny Vatican City State. His voice carries weight in a world wracked by numerous conflicts, from Ukraine to Gaza and Sudan. The pope's opinions have consequences. Francis at various times angered Israel, Ukraine, Russia and the United States with his comments on conflicts and immigrants. Relations with Washington will be particularly scrutinized, as some have suggested Leo XIV's election shows the Church distancing itself from the Christian nationalism growing in the US. The rise of populist politics, the development of artificial intelligence and the climate emergency are all issues that will demand the pope's attention, as will immigration. And then there are the delicate relations with China, not least the thorny issue of appointing Catholic bishops in the country. Women's place The place of women in the Church will also continue to spark debate. Francis appointed women to key positions, including in January naming the first woman prefect of a Curia department. Hopes that he would allow women to be named as deacons — a job seen as a step on the road to priesthood — were dashed, however, at the last assembly on the future of the Church in October last year. Francis also increased the role of the laity in the Church, another measure that was opposed by traditionalists and yet didn't go far enough for reformers. Fewer priests Leo XIV inherits a Church that is growing in the southern hemisphere but is declining in Europe. The total number of priests spreading the faith is also falling — albeit slowly. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of priests around the world dropped by 0.2 percent to 406,996, despite an uptick in Africa and Asia. Though church attendance is different from one region to another, the rise of evangelical churches, particularly in Africa, is creating stiff competition. Finances Pope Francis reformed the Vatican's scandal-tainted finances, but there remains much to be done—and cardinals were briefed on the situation ahead of the conclave. The Holy See continues to face a chronic budget deficit, amid a decline in donations from the faithful. The Vatican reported a consolidated loss of almost 70 million euros for 2023, from a revenue of 1.2 billion euros ($1.35 billion). Style Francis ripped up the rulebook for popes, eschewing papal apartments to live in rooms in the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse, making his own phone calls and writing his own replies to letters. But he also faced criticism for an authoritarian management style as well as his tendency to speak his mind, often leaving diplomats scrambling to explain his public statements. Leo XIV will have to find a way to show his own closeness to the faithful without trying to imitate Francis, forging his own path. - AFP
