The current pontiff addressed homosexual individuals assuring them that they are loved by God just as they are, highlighting that "being homosexual is not a crime" and that all are welcome in the Church. Meanwhile, his successor as Pope will have to decide whether to continue with this line of thought or to revert from what has been laid out.
On the other hand, there has been a resumption of criticism towards Pope Francis's autocratic style of governance, denouncing it as vindictive. There has been noted negligence in legal matters, intolerance towards respectful disagreement, and ambiguity in issues of faith and morality. This has generated ancestral divisions between traditionalists and progressives in the Catholic Church, exacerbated during Francis's pontificate.
Concerns also fall on the handling of sexual abuse cases in the Church. Although measures have been implemented to combat this issue, a culture of impunity persists that must be addressed by the next Pope. Organizations like SNAP demand a zero-tolerance policy and transparency from the Vatican regarding this matter.
Another challenge for the new pontiff will be to decide the level of inclusion and acceptance of the LGBT+ community in the Church. Despite progress made, such as allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, the discrepancies within the Catholic hierarchy on this issue are evident.
Moreover, there is a need to address the role of women in the Vatican. While steps have been taken towards promoting female leadership, demands for greater recognition and participation within the institution persist.
In summary, the next Pope will inherit a series of ongoing challenges, from the need to address sexual abuse cases and promote LGBT+ inclusion and women's participation, to overcoming existing divisions in the Catholic Church. It will now be up to the 267th pontiff to decide how to face these challenges and whether to continue, modify, or abandon the policies of his predecessor.
